PolitiFact.com
Statements about Science
Michael Chippendale

Michael Chippendale

False

Something smells wrong here.

"Hydrogen sulfide . . . [was] used in the genocide of Jews in Germany. "

David Brooks

David Brooks

True

In the mid 1980s, Gingrich revived an idea from 1920s space pioneers

Newt Gingrich "has suggested" building "a mirror system in space" could improve the Earth’s habitability.

Frank Brogan

Frank Brogan

Half-True

Some say yes. Some say no

Says Anthropology is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field.

Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz

Mostly True

Expert says exactly that — but he's in minority

"A Cornell University research study concludes that ethanol generates a 29 percent energy loss, meaning it takes more than a gallon of gasoline to produce a gallon of ethanol."

Critics of water fluoridation

Critics of water fluoridation

Pants on Fire!

Just one of many conspiracy theories

Say water fluoridation started in Nazi Germany ghettos and death camps to pacify the Jews.

Rush Holt

Rush Holt

True

Statistic is on the mark

Says "as a share of the US economy, the government’s support for research and development (R&D) has fallen by nearly two-thirds since the 1960s."

Rick Perry

Rick Perry

False

Not law or policy to mix the two

"In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools."

Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty

False

Most agree that sexual orientation is fixed; it's behavior that's a choice

Says scientists are "in dispute" over whether being gay is a choice.

Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty

Mostly True

Scientists say genetic role in causing homosexuality is murky

"There's no scientific conclusion that (being gay) is genetic."

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Mostly True

Foreign researchers also chipped in

"Anywhere in the world, when someone uses a mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet or GPS, they are enjoying the benefits of the American miracle."

Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Mostly True

The GOP would cut lots of other things, but those programs are on the list

"The Republicans have demanded deep cuts in education. They've demanded cuts in cancer research and other research to find cures and treatments to diseases."

Joel Keehn

Joel Keehn

True

Daylight Saving claim dead on

The hour of sleep you lose during the change to daylight saving time might initially pose some health risks.

Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter

Mostly False

Not the mainstream opinion

"There is a growing body of evidence that radiation in excess of what the government says are the minimum amounts you should be exposed to are actually good for you and reduce cases of cancer."

Bill Posey

Bill Posey

Mostly True

To infinity and beyond? Not anytime soon with this budget

"The president promised to close the space gap, but he now seems intent on repeating the events that created the space gap in the first place -- putting in place a new rocket design and then trying to underfund the effort..."

Paul Broun

Paul Broun

False

Were it not for the feds, you'd be reading this on paper

Says government is a barrier to innovation and development.

John Pistole

John Pistole

True

Radiation is all around us

The radiation coming from the new TSA body scanners is "equivalent to about three minutes' worth of air travel by anybody, say, at 30,000 feet."

John Loughlin

John Loughlin

False

Claim is mostly hot air

Tells David Cicilline, "94 percent of the carbon emissions which you so want to get rid of are caused by nature."

Jim Huffman

Jim Huffman

False

Do we need an ants on fire rating?

Says Ron Wyden spent $2 million "to study exotic ants."

Ted Strickland

Ted Strickland

Half-True

Old report has never been updated

"In renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects, Ohio now ranks first among the 50 states."

Roy Barnes

Roy Barnes

Mostly True

Microchips, secession and stem cells. Oh my!

The state Legislature attempted to "outlaw stem cell research, passes bills about microchips in the brain, and talks about seceding from the Union."

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