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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Q&A on Looming Government Shutdown

Q&A on Looming Government Shutdown

The federal government is heading to a shutdown, if Congress doesn’t pass funding legislation by the time the clock strikes midnight on Sept. 30. We’ll explain what that means and what government services could be affected.

Launching Impeachment Inquiries: Reviewing What Happened in 2019 and 2023

Launching Impeachment Inquiries: Reviewing What Happened in 2019 and 2023

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reneged on his promise not to move forward with an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden without having a full vote by the House of Representatives. When defending his reversal, McCarthy blamed his predecessor, Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi. We sort out their conflicting statements.

FactChecking McCarthy’s Impeachment Inquiry Claims

FactChecking McCarthy’s Impeachment Inquiry Claims

Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced on Sept. 12 that he would direct the House to open a formal impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. We review specific allegations that McCarthy made and where those allegations fall short of the evidence so far.

Debt Limit Agreement Breakdown

Debt Limit Agreement Breakdown

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden brokered a two-year agreement to suspend the debt ceiling, but it needs quick congressional approval before the federal government runs out of money. We’ll explain the main provisions of the bill that would cut, and increase, federal spending.

McCarthy Is Supportive of Raskin’s Head Covering, Contrary to Online Posts

McCarthy Is Supportive of Raskin’s Head Covering, Contrary to Online Posts

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland wears head coverings on the House floor to cover his hair loss while undergoing treatment for cancer. Social media posts falsely claim that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, refused to allow Raskin to wear his head covering. The posts misinterpret a joke Raskin made in response to a question. 

McCarthy Distorts Facts About DOJ Search of Mar-a-Lago

McCarthy Distorts Facts About DOJ Search of Mar-a-Lago

In questioning why the FBI “raid[ed] President Trump,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy falsely claimed that government officials “could have come and taken” classified government documents stored at Donald Trump’s private club and residence in Florida “any time they wanted.”

McCarthy Mischaracterizes Trump’s Response to Fuentes Meeting

McCarthy Mischaracterizes Trump’s Response to Fuentes Meeting

Asked about Donald Trump’s dinner meeting attended by Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist, Rep. Kevin McCarthy claimed the former president “came out four times and condemned him.” That’s not accurate. Trump had repeatedly said he didn’t know who Fuentes was, but he stopped short of condemning him or his ideas.

Fabricated Screenshot Misrepresents GOP’s ‘Commitment to America’

Fabricated Screenshot Misrepresents GOP’s ‘Commitment to America’

House Republicans unveiled a list of policy goals called the “Commitment to America” in September. But a fabricated screenshot purporting to show the agenda has been circulating on social media. None of the items included in the image come from the agenda — although some echo proposals made by the conservative Republican Study Committee.

U.S. Inflation Rate at ‘Zero’ — for One Month

U.S. Inflation Rate at ‘Zero’ — for One Month

For the month of July, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Customers was unchanged from June. This has triggered a war of words between Democrats, who crow about “zero percent inflation” for July, and Republicans, who say the Democrats are now trying to “deny there’s inflation.” Both have a point.