Latest Mostly False Fact-checks in Deficit Mike Pence stated on August 23, 2023 in a Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee: "I actually pushed the Deficit Reduction Act. That was the last time we actually reduced the national debt in the United States, when I was the leader of House conservatives." Occupy Democrats stated on January 12, 2023 in a Facebook post: "Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit or the national debt." Donald Trump stated on April 27, 2019 in a rally: "We have been losing to China for many years, $500 billion a year. Pat Toomey stated on July 10, 2017 in Morning Joe: Medicaid "is contributing to 70 percent of our budget deficit right now. It’s the one that is in our lap because of Obamacare." Donald Trump stated on August 31, 2016 in a speech: Says "Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days, and her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security, and Medicare for illegal immigrants, breaking the federal budget." Gary Johnson stated on August 11, 2016 in an interview on Fox News: "The Pentagon itself says that we could eliminate 20 percent of U.S. bases." American Action Network stated on December 8, 2015 in a newspaper ad: "Under conservative leadership, Congress has reduced the federal deficit by 60 percent – nearly $800 billion." Rand Paul stated on October 28, 2015 in a Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colo.: The debt limit deal "allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money." John Kasich stated on September 27, 2015 in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation": "When I left Washington, we had a $5 trillion surplus." Donald Trump stated on July 25, 2015 in a speech: Under Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin "projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion." Lindsey Graham stated on March 8, 2015 in a speech in Concord, N.H.: "If you took every penny of the 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldn't even begin to balance the budget." Jack Reed stated on May 1, 2014 in Senate floor speeches and during a news conference: The Senate proposal to restore emergency unemployment benefits for five months was "fully paid for." Angel Taveras stated on May 12, 2014 in a fundraising letter: I turned "a $110 million deficit into a $1.6 million surplus for our city." We Are Wisconsin stated on February 17, 2014 in an email: With his proposal to cut income and property taxes, Scott Walker is "increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels." Andrew Napolitano stated on October 17, 2013 in an interview on "Fox and Friends": "Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it." Paul Broun stated on September 29, 2013 in a newspaper op-ed: According to a federal report, Obamacare will increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion. Louie Gohmert stated on October 15, 2013 in an interview with Fox News: "We went from $160 billion deficit spending in (President George W.) Bush's last year to $1.6 trillion the following year." Morgan Griffith stated on May 16, 2013 in a news release.: "The Government Accountability Office estimated (Obamacare) will add to the long-term deficit by $6.2 trillion." Mark Pocan stated on April 16, 2013 in an interview: "Not one dime gets added to the deficit because of Social Security." Connie Mack stated on September 6, 2012 in an op-ed in 'The Hill': "President Obama has no plan to reduce the deficit, let alone pay down the debt." Brendan Doherty stated on September 12, 2012 in a news release: David Cicilline was "required to provide key information about city finances to an independent outside auditor. The deadlines were clear -- yet [he intentionally] missed them by months" until after the November 2010 election. David Cicilline stated on September 4, 2012 in a debate: "The auditor [for the city of Providence] was not locked out" of access to the city's finances. Chain email stated on April 30, 2012 in a chain e-mail: Says President Barack Obama "added" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined. Bob McDonnell stated on February 24, 2012 in a symposium.: President Obama's "budget would call for about $25 trillion in debt by the end of his term, if he was re-elected." Anna Little stated on December 29, 2011 in a message on her campaign website: "Bob Menendez just voted to increase the government's debt ceiling to $1.9 TRILLION! In his 19 years in Congress, Menendez has helped overspend America over $15 TRILLION into debt." Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined." Marisha Agana stated on October 30, 2011 in a news release announcing her candidacy: "The American Conservative Union gives [Rep. Tim] Ryan a dismal 0.0 percent rating for the billions he has contributed to our national debt." Mark Neumann stated on November 9, 2011 in a radio interview: The federal "limousine fleet has increased by 42 percent since Barack Obama took office." Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis. Helen Glover stated on October 24, 2011 in an introduction to a radio interview: "The State of Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country."
Mike Pence stated on August 23, 2023 in a Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee: "I actually pushed the Deficit Reduction Act. That was the last time we actually reduced the national debt in the United States, when I was the leader of House conservatives." Occupy Democrats stated on January 12, 2023 in a Facebook post: "Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit or the national debt." Donald Trump stated on April 27, 2019 in a rally: "We have been losing to China for many years, $500 billion a year. Pat Toomey stated on July 10, 2017 in Morning Joe: Medicaid "is contributing to 70 percent of our budget deficit right now. It’s the one that is in our lap because of Obamacare." Donald Trump stated on August 31, 2016 in a speech: Says "Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days, and her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security, and Medicare for illegal immigrants, breaking the federal budget." Gary Johnson stated on August 11, 2016 in an interview on Fox News: "The Pentagon itself says that we could eliminate 20 percent of U.S. bases." American Action Network stated on December 8, 2015 in a newspaper ad: "Under conservative leadership, Congress has reduced the federal deficit by 60 percent – nearly $800 billion." Rand Paul stated on October 28, 2015 in a Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colo.: The debt limit deal "allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money." John Kasich stated on September 27, 2015 in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation": "When I left Washington, we had a $5 trillion surplus." Donald Trump stated on July 25, 2015 in a speech: Under Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin "projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion." Lindsey Graham stated on March 8, 2015 in a speech in Concord, N.H.: "If you took every penny of the 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldn't even begin to balance the budget." Jack Reed stated on May 1, 2014 in Senate floor speeches and during a news conference: The Senate proposal to restore emergency unemployment benefits for five months was "fully paid for." Angel Taveras stated on May 12, 2014 in a fundraising letter: I turned "a $110 million deficit into a $1.6 million surplus for our city." We Are Wisconsin stated on February 17, 2014 in an email: With his proposal to cut income and property taxes, Scott Walker is "increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels." Andrew Napolitano stated on October 17, 2013 in an interview on "Fox and Friends": "Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it." Paul Broun stated on September 29, 2013 in a newspaper op-ed: According to a federal report, Obamacare will increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion. Louie Gohmert stated on October 15, 2013 in an interview with Fox News: "We went from $160 billion deficit spending in (President George W.) Bush's last year to $1.6 trillion the following year." Morgan Griffith stated on May 16, 2013 in a news release.: "The Government Accountability Office estimated (Obamacare) will add to the long-term deficit by $6.2 trillion." Mark Pocan stated on April 16, 2013 in an interview: "Not one dime gets added to the deficit because of Social Security." Connie Mack stated on September 6, 2012 in an op-ed in 'The Hill': "President Obama has no plan to reduce the deficit, let alone pay down the debt." Brendan Doherty stated on September 12, 2012 in a news release: David Cicilline was "required to provide key information about city finances to an independent outside auditor. The deadlines were clear -- yet [he intentionally] missed them by months" until after the November 2010 election. David Cicilline stated on September 4, 2012 in a debate: "The auditor [for the city of Providence] was not locked out" of access to the city's finances. Chain email stated on April 30, 2012 in a chain e-mail: Says President Barack Obama "added" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined. Bob McDonnell stated on February 24, 2012 in a symposium.: President Obama's "budget would call for about $25 trillion in debt by the end of his term, if he was re-elected." Anna Little stated on December 29, 2011 in a message on her campaign website: "Bob Menendez just voted to increase the government's debt ceiling to $1.9 TRILLION! In his 19 years in Congress, Menendez has helped overspend America over $15 TRILLION into debt." Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined." Marisha Agana stated on October 30, 2011 in a news release announcing her candidacy: "The American Conservative Union gives [Rep. Tim] Ryan a dismal 0.0 percent rating for the billions he has contributed to our national debt." Mark Neumann stated on November 9, 2011 in a radio interview: The federal "limousine fleet has increased by 42 percent since Barack Obama took office." Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis. Helen Glover stated on October 24, 2011 in an introduction to a radio interview: "The State of Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country."
Mike Pence stated on August 23, 2023 in a Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee: "I actually pushed the Deficit Reduction Act. That was the last time we actually reduced the national debt in the United States, when I was the leader of House conservatives."
Occupy Democrats stated on January 12, 2023 in a Facebook post: "Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit or the national debt."
Donald Trump stated on April 27, 2019 in a rally: "We have been losing to China for many years, $500 billion a year.
Pat Toomey stated on July 10, 2017 in Morning Joe: Medicaid "is contributing to 70 percent of our budget deficit right now. It’s the one that is in our lap because of Obamacare."
Donald Trump stated on August 31, 2016 in a speech: Says "Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days, and her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security, and Medicare for illegal immigrants, breaking the federal budget."
Gary Johnson stated on August 11, 2016 in an interview on Fox News: "The Pentagon itself says that we could eliminate 20 percent of U.S. bases."
American Action Network stated on December 8, 2015 in a newspaper ad: "Under conservative leadership, Congress has reduced the federal deficit by 60 percent – nearly $800 billion."
Rand Paul stated on October 28, 2015 in a Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colo.: The debt limit deal "allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money."
John Kasich stated on September 27, 2015 in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation": "When I left Washington, we had a $5 trillion surplus."
Donald Trump stated on July 25, 2015 in a speech: Under Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin "projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion."
Lindsey Graham stated on March 8, 2015 in a speech in Concord, N.H.: "If you took every penny of the 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldn't even begin to balance the budget."
Jack Reed stated on May 1, 2014 in Senate floor speeches and during a news conference: The Senate proposal to restore emergency unemployment benefits for five months was "fully paid for."
Angel Taveras stated on May 12, 2014 in a fundraising letter: I turned "a $110 million deficit into a $1.6 million surplus for our city."
We Are Wisconsin stated on February 17, 2014 in an email: With his proposal to cut income and property taxes, Scott Walker is "increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels."
Andrew Napolitano stated on October 17, 2013 in an interview on "Fox and Friends": "Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it."
Paul Broun stated on September 29, 2013 in a newspaper op-ed: According to a federal report, Obamacare will increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion.
Louie Gohmert stated on October 15, 2013 in an interview with Fox News: "We went from $160 billion deficit spending in (President George W.) Bush's last year to $1.6 trillion the following year."
Morgan Griffith stated on May 16, 2013 in a news release.: "The Government Accountability Office estimated (Obamacare) will add to the long-term deficit by $6.2 trillion."
Mark Pocan stated on April 16, 2013 in an interview: "Not one dime gets added to the deficit because of Social Security."
Connie Mack stated on September 6, 2012 in an op-ed in 'The Hill': "President Obama has no plan to reduce the deficit, let alone pay down the debt."
Brendan Doherty stated on September 12, 2012 in a news release: David Cicilline was "required to provide key information about city finances to an independent outside auditor. The deadlines were clear -- yet [he intentionally] missed them by months" until after the November 2010 election.
David Cicilline stated on September 4, 2012 in a debate: "The auditor [for the city of Providence] was not locked out" of access to the city's finances.
Chain email stated on April 30, 2012 in a chain e-mail: Says President Barack Obama "added" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.
Bob McDonnell stated on February 24, 2012 in a symposium.: President Obama's "budget would call for about $25 trillion in debt by the end of his term, if he was re-elected."
Anna Little stated on December 29, 2011 in a message on her campaign website: "Bob Menendez just voted to increase the government's debt ceiling to $1.9 TRILLION! In his 19 years in Congress, Menendez has helped overspend America over $15 TRILLION into debt."
Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined."
Marisha Agana stated on October 30, 2011 in a news release announcing her candidacy: "The American Conservative Union gives [Rep. Tim] Ryan a dismal 0.0 percent rating for the billions he has contributed to our national debt."
Mark Neumann stated on November 9, 2011 in a radio interview: The federal "limousine fleet has increased by 42 percent since Barack Obama took office."
Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis.
Helen Glover stated on October 24, 2011 in an introduction to a radio interview: "The State of Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country."