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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Is Congress Exempt from GOP Health Bill?

Is Congress Exempt from GOP Health Bill?

Q: Does the new GOP health care bill apply to members of Congress and their families?

A: For procedural reasons, the bill passed by House Republicans exempted lawmakers from some of its effects. But a stand-alone bill passed unanimously would do away with that exemption if the legislation becomes law.

Russia’s Ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses

Russia’s Ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses

Q: Did President Trump urge Jehovah’s Witnesses to seek asylum in the U.S. after the religious group was banned in Russia?

A: No. A fake news story attributed that statement to Trump.

SCOTUS Didn’t Ban Teaching About Islam

SCOTUS Didn’t Ban Teaching About Islam

Q: Did the Supreme Court rule that public schools cannot teach students about Islam?

A: No. That false claim was spread by a network of fake news websites.

Carson Didn’t Find HUD Errors

Carson Didn’t Find HUD Errors

Q: Did Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson find over $500 billion in accounting errors while auditing HUD’s financial statements?

A: No. The errors were discovered and published by HUD’s independent inspector general before Carson became secretary.

Trump Didn’t Increase Social Security

Trump Didn’t Increase Social Security

Q: Did President Trump increase monthly payments to Social Security beneficiaries?

A: No. Trump had nothing to do with the automatic cost-of-living increases for 2017, which were announced by the Social Security Administration last October.

Justices Didn’t Oppose Gorsuch

Justices Didn’t Oppose Gorsuch

Q: Did all eight Supreme Court justices write a letter opposing Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to fill a court vacancy?

A: No. That false claim was made on a liberal website that misrepresented a court ruling regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

A Fake Tom Price Quote

A Fake Tom Price Quote

Q: Did Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price say “it’s better for our budget if cancer patients die more quickly”?

A: No. That’s another made-up quote from a “news/satire” website.

Dems Stood for Widow’s Ovation

Dems Stood for Widow’s Ovation

Q: During President Trump’s address to Congress, did top Democrats remain seated during a standing ovation for a Navy SEAL’s widow?
A: No. There were two ovations and video shows Democratic leaders stood for both. However, they did not remain standing as long as Republicans.

No Stimulus Check

No Stimulus Check

Q: Is President Trump giving $612 to all working Americans and their families?
A: No. That claim originated from a satirical website.

Bogus Visa Waiver Stories

Bogus Visa Waiver Stories

Q: Did President Trump sign an executive order allowing foreign nationals from various countries to enter the U.S. without a visa?

A: No. That bogus claim was made in a series of articles published by fake news websites.