PolitiFact.com
Statements about Congressional Rules
Beth Harwell

Beth Harwell

Half-True

Ghost voting in Tenn., not D.C.

Says in U.S. Congress, members "don’t even have to be on the floor for debates or votes."

Andrew Napolitano

Andrew Napolitano

Pants on Fire!

Public debate, public votes, routine signing

A bill that could restrict free speech when the president is nearby was signed by President Barack Obama "in secret."

Jack Lew

Jack Lew

False

It's happened with as few as 48 votes

"You can't pass a budget in the Senate of the United States without 60 votes."

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Pants on Fire!

You don't have to be in Washington to get work done

Congressman Scott DesJarlais "is spending his one year anniversary on vacation -- only working 6 days in all of January."

Jim Sensenbrenner

Jim Sensenbrenner

True

In the lead with four

"I've done more impeachments than anybody else in the history of the country."

Club for Growth

Club for Growth

Half-True

Pay raise claim needs more detail

"[Former Georgia congressman] Bob Barr voted ... to raise his own pay."

George LeMieux

George LeMieux

Half-True

Mack also voted not to raise his paycheck

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack "voted to raise his own pay several times."

Facebook posts

Facebook posts

Pants on Fire!

Claim is based on a statistical quirk

Congressional Republicans have introduced dozens of bills on social issues and other topics, but "zero on job creation."

Jim Moran

Jim Moran

Pants on Fire!

He's whistlin' Dixie

House Republicans required the use of Styrofoam cups in House cafeterias that are "part of Koch Industries."

Chain e-mail

Chain e-mail

Pants on Fire!

A new twist on an old favorite

Members of Congress and their families and staff are exempt from repaying student loans.

Steny Hoyer

Steny Hoyer

False

GOP reached out to several House Democrats

In preparing a rules package for the 112th Congress, the GOP had no discussions with Democrats.

Frederica Wilson

Frederica Wilson

Half-True

Will Wilson's hat-itude get her in trouble in D.C.?

The U.S. House rule barring members from wearing hats while in session dates back to the 1800s and can be waived by the speaker.  

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