Latest Fact-checks in Deficit Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit." Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis." Bobby Scott stated on July 14, 2011 in a letter.: (Rep. Bob Goodlatte's) balanced budget amendment does not require a balanced budget. Ron Johnson stated on July 25, 2011 in a television interview: "The federal government is spending 25 percent of our entire economy versus 100 years ago we spent only 2 percent." Eric Cantor stated on July 26, 2011 in a TV interview.: "Harry Reid’s plan is basically giving the president a blank check." Ohio Democratic Party stated on July 25, 2011 in a news release: Says Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel "supports allowing the United States to default on its obligations." Leonard Lance stated on July 17, 2011 in a column: "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." Barack Obama stated on July 25, 2011 in a televised address: "The deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office." Rob Portman stated on July 25, 2011 in an interview on MSNBC: "Thirty-four of the last 44 (debt ceiling increases) have been for less than a year. So, this notion that short-term is somehow the exception, it's actually the rule." Tom Price stated on July 24, 2011 in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union with Candy Crowley": "The U.S. won't default, because default means that you don't pay your creditors. And it takes about 10 percent of the money that's coming in right now" to pay interest to bondholders. Arianna Huffington stated on July 24, 2011 in a roundtable segment on ABC's "This Week with Christiane Amanpour": "Most countries have no debt ceiling." Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on July 19, 2011 in debate on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: "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." David Dewhurst stated on July 19, 2011 in a campaign video.: "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." Barack Obama stated on July 21, 2011 in an interview on NPR: 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." Richard Codey stated on July 13, 2011 in an interview on Hannity on Fox News: "Every president has raised the debt ceiling." Bill Johnson stated on July 5, 2011 in an online news story: On opposition to earmarks Josh Treviño stated on July 13, 2011 in a TV appearance.: 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. Paul Ryan stated on July 6, 2011 in a radio interview: Says the U.S. borrows "42 cents of every dollar Washington spends today and about half of that comes from countries like China." Crossroads GPS stated on July 14, 2011 in a television ad: "Our country's got this huge debt, and (President Barack) Obama says raise taxes and keep spending more." Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased. Jim DeMint stated on June 27, 2011 in a news release: Says U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is responsible for "over $14 trillion in debt." George Allen stated on July 2, 2011 in a TV interview.: "China owns more of our bonds than do Americans." Barack Obama stated on July 6, 2011 in a Twitter Town Hall: Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth. Mark Warner stated on June 27, 2011 in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.: "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." Tim Pawlenty stated on June 10, 2011 in an interview WKXL-AM.: Says President Barack Obama promised he would cut the deficit in half, but instead will at least double it. National Republican Senatorial Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a press release.: "President Obama and liberal former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s $787 billion stimulus failed to create jobs." Tim Ryan stated on May 24, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: The average person "will pay $6,000 more a year" under Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal. Robert Hurt stated on June 3, 2011 in an e-mail newsletter.: Non-defense discretionary spending has increased "by over 80 percent in the last two years." Scott Rigell stated on June 3, 2011 in a newsletter.: "The (national) debt really added up $75 trillion in 2010 and is on track to hit $99 trillion this year." National Republican Congressional Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a robo-call: Democratic Reps. Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan and Critz "demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation’s debt limit without making any spending cuts."
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit." Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis." Bobby Scott stated on July 14, 2011 in a letter.: (Rep. Bob Goodlatte's) balanced budget amendment does not require a balanced budget. Ron Johnson stated on July 25, 2011 in a television interview: "The federal government is spending 25 percent of our entire economy versus 100 years ago we spent only 2 percent." Eric Cantor stated on July 26, 2011 in a TV interview.: "Harry Reid’s plan is basically giving the president a blank check." Ohio Democratic Party stated on July 25, 2011 in a news release: Says Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel "supports allowing the United States to default on its obligations." Leonard Lance stated on July 17, 2011 in a column: "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." Barack Obama stated on July 25, 2011 in a televised address: "The deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office." Rob Portman stated on July 25, 2011 in an interview on MSNBC: "Thirty-four of the last 44 (debt ceiling increases) have been for less than a year. So, this notion that short-term is somehow the exception, it's actually the rule." Tom Price stated on July 24, 2011 in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union with Candy Crowley": "The U.S. won't default, because default means that you don't pay your creditors. And it takes about 10 percent of the money that's coming in right now" to pay interest to bondholders. Arianna Huffington stated on July 24, 2011 in a roundtable segment on ABC's "This Week with Christiane Amanpour": "Most countries have no debt ceiling." Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on July 19, 2011 in debate on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: "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." David Dewhurst stated on July 19, 2011 in a campaign video.: "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." Barack Obama stated on July 21, 2011 in an interview on NPR: 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." Richard Codey stated on July 13, 2011 in an interview on Hannity on Fox News: "Every president has raised the debt ceiling." Bill Johnson stated on July 5, 2011 in an online news story: On opposition to earmarks Josh Treviño stated on July 13, 2011 in a TV appearance.: 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. Paul Ryan stated on July 6, 2011 in a radio interview: Says the U.S. borrows "42 cents of every dollar Washington spends today and about half of that comes from countries like China." Crossroads GPS stated on July 14, 2011 in a television ad: "Our country's got this huge debt, and (President Barack) Obama says raise taxes and keep spending more." Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased. Jim DeMint stated on June 27, 2011 in a news release: Says U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is responsible for "over $14 trillion in debt." George Allen stated on July 2, 2011 in a TV interview.: "China owns more of our bonds than do Americans." Barack Obama stated on July 6, 2011 in a Twitter Town Hall: Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth. Mark Warner stated on June 27, 2011 in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.: "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." Tim Pawlenty stated on June 10, 2011 in an interview WKXL-AM.: Says President Barack Obama promised he would cut the deficit in half, but instead will at least double it. National Republican Senatorial Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a press release.: "President Obama and liberal former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s $787 billion stimulus failed to create jobs." Tim Ryan stated on May 24, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: The average person "will pay $6,000 more a year" under Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal. Robert Hurt stated on June 3, 2011 in an e-mail newsletter.: Non-defense discretionary spending has increased "by over 80 percent in the last two years." Scott Rigell stated on June 3, 2011 in a newsletter.: "The (national) debt really added up $75 trillion in 2010 and is on track to hit $99 trillion this year." National Republican Congressional Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a robo-call: Democratic Reps. Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan and Critz "demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation’s debt limit without making any spending cuts."
Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit."
Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis."
Bobby Scott stated on July 14, 2011 in a letter.: (Rep. Bob Goodlatte's) balanced budget amendment does not require a balanced budget.
Ron Johnson stated on July 25, 2011 in a television interview: "The federal government is spending 25 percent of our entire economy versus 100 years ago we spent only 2 percent."
Eric Cantor stated on July 26, 2011 in a TV interview.: "Harry Reid’s plan is basically giving the president a blank check."
Ohio Democratic Party stated on July 25, 2011 in a news release: Says Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel "supports allowing the United States to default on its obligations."
Leonard Lance stated on July 17, 2011 in a column: "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."
Barack Obama stated on July 25, 2011 in a televised address: "The deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office."
Rob Portman stated on July 25, 2011 in an interview on MSNBC: "Thirty-four of the last 44 (debt ceiling increases) have been for less than a year. So, this notion that short-term is somehow the exception, it's actually the rule."
Tom Price stated on July 24, 2011 in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union with Candy Crowley": "The U.S. won't default, because default means that you don't pay your creditors. And it takes about 10 percent of the money that's coming in right now" to pay interest to bondholders.
Arianna Huffington stated on July 24, 2011 in a roundtable segment on ABC's "This Week with Christiane Amanpour": "Most countries have no debt ceiling."
Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on July 19, 2011 in debate on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: "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."
David Dewhurst stated on July 19, 2011 in a campaign video.: "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."
Barack Obama stated on July 21, 2011 in an interview on NPR: 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."
Richard Codey stated on July 13, 2011 in an interview on Hannity on Fox News: "Every president has raised the debt ceiling."
Josh Treviño stated on July 13, 2011 in a TV appearance.: 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.
Paul Ryan stated on July 6, 2011 in a radio interview: Says the U.S. borrows "42 cents of every dollar Washington spends today and about half of that comes from countries like China."
Crossroads GPS stated on July 14, 2011 in a television ad: "Our country's got this huge debt, and (President Barack) Obama says raise taxes and keep spending more."
Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased.
Jim DeMint stated on June 27, 2011 in a news release: Says U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is responsible for "over $14 trillion in debt."
George Allen stated on July 2, 2011 in a TV interview.: "China owns more of our bonds than do Americans."
Barack Obama stated on July 6, 2011 in a Twitter Town Hall: Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth.
Mark Warner stated on June 27, 2011 in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.: "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."
Tim Pawlenty stated on June 10, 2011 in an interview WKXL-AM.: Says President Barack Obama promised he would cut the deficit in half, but instead will at least double it.
National Republican Senatorial Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a press release.: "President Obama and liberal former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s $787 billion stimulus failed to create jobs."
Tim Ryan stated on May 24, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: The average person "will pay $6,000 more a year" under Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal.
Robert Hurt stated on June 3, 2011 in an e-mail newsletter.: Non-defense discretionary spending has increased "by over 80 percent in the last two years."
Scott Rigell stated on June 3, 2011 in a newsletter.: "The (national) debt really added up $75 trillion in 2010 and is on track to hit $99 trillion this year."
National Republican Congressional Committee stated on June 3, 2011 in a robo-call: Democratic Reps. Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan and Critz "demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation’s debt limit without making any spending cuts."
