Of the 10.9 million children age 5 to 17 in the U.S. who speak a language other than English at home, 7.9 million speak Spanish.
Source: Census Bureau
Grayson’s Iffy Claims
Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson is facing rebuke from House Republicans for saying that "Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick." In a Sept. 29 speech on the House floor, Grayson said that the Republican health care plan is: "Don’t get sick. And if you do get sick, die quickly." Grayson later told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, "What I mean is they have got no plan," and that the lack of plan would allow uninsurance-related deaths to continue.
Obama’s Reading Material
Q: Was Obama reading an anti-America book written by a Muslim?
A: No. The book, a New York Times best-seller, is about America's role in a new global era. The author, a leading journalist, is a Muslim but describes himself as "not a religious guy."
October 1, 2009
Texas is the state that produces the most crude oil in the U.S., with 1,087,000 barrels a day.
Source: Energy Information Administration
The DNC and Senior Scare
The Democratic National Committee has released a new TV ad about health care legislation, this time on the Senate Finance Committee proposal.
In the ad, the DNC takes on Republicans for "trying to scare seniors about health reform," saying that news outlets had called their claims "dishonest" and "scare-mongering." The ad’s citations for both quotes check out – the first is from an editorial in the Palm Beach Post, the second from an editorial in The New York Times.
September 30, 2009
Seventy-one percent of U.S. oil consumption is for transportation.
Source: Energy Information Administration
FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Sept. 22-Sept. 28
This week, readers sent us comments on COLA, Michael Moore and how much they like FactCheck.
In the FactCheck Mailbag we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
September 29, 2009
There are 42 gallons of oil in a barrel.
Source: Energy Information Administration
RNC Tax Attack Goes Too Far
The Republican National Committee claims in a new Web ad that Democratic health care plans propose taxes on “charities and small businesses. A doctor’s tax. Taxes on your health insurance. Even a tax on medical supplies.” It’s perfectly true, as the ad says, that “hundreds of billions” in taxes are being proposed – spread over …
Playing Favorites With Chrysler Dealers?
Q: Did the Obama administration target Chrysler dealerships for closure according to their political contributions?
A: The best evidence shows that dealerships with Republican donors weren’t disproportionately targeted – auto dealers overall tend to lean overwhelmingly Republican.