During floor addresses urging Congress to act on President Obama’s $1.9 billion request for emergency funds to combat the Zika virus, a number of senators made claims that were either misleading or lacked context.
What Zika Means for Americans
Tag: SciCheck
False Claims About Flint Water
A Michigan health official told Congress that his department’s “initial analysis” showed blood lead levels in Flint children in the summer of 2014 were “within range of years before.” That’s false.
Palin ‘as Much a Scientist’ as Bill Nye?
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin falsely said she is “as much a scientist” as Bill Nye, best known for his children’s show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Nye has multiple credentials that make him more of a scientist than Palin.
Inhofe Misleads on Bees
Sen. James Inhofe made misleading claims in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency about the relationship between neonicotinoid pesticides and bees.
False Claims about ‘Frankenfish’
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she opposes federal approval of genetically engineered salmon “for the health of both consumers and fisheries.” But there is no scientific evidence that suggests GE salmon will pose a significant risk to either.
Video: Male and Female Mosquitoes
FlackCheck.org’s latest video explains the difference between male and female mosquitoes when it comes to transmission of viruses, like Zika.
Video: What Mosquitoes Carry Zika?
This video from FlackCheck.org answers questions about mosquitoes and the Zika virus.
Polar Bears Far from ‘Strong and Healthy’
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the “latest research” shows “polar bear numbers are strong and healthy” in her state. Polar bears are listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Of the two populations in Alaska, one is declining, and the status of the other is unknown.
The Facts About Zika
Several members of Congress wrote to government officials about the recent Zika virus outbreak in Brazil and a suspected rise there in the number of microcephaly cases. But some of those letters overstated what’s known about these two phenomena.
FlackCheck Video: Warmest Year
Was 2014 “the planet’s warmest year on record,” as President Obama has said? This FlackCheck video uses an April 20 report from our SciCheck feature to examine that claim.