The recent vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance covered a wide range of topics, with both candidates making claims that needed fact-checking. Here are some key points:
Iran's Unfrozen Assets
Vance claimed that Iran received over $100 billion in unfrozen assets under the Biden-Harris administration. However, the Biden administration only agreed to unfreeze $6 billion as part of a deal to release U.S. citizens held by Iran. Not a dollar of that has been given to Iran yet. The $100 billion figure dates back to a 2016 nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration.
Insulin Prices
Walz overstated the cost of insulin, claiming it was $800 before a new law capped prices at $35 per month for some Americans. A study found that people on Medicare or private insurance paid an average of $452 yearly before the price cap.
Immigration and Housing
Vance linked unaffordable housing to illegal immigration, but economists attribute rising home prices to a long-term decline in housing supply. While immigrants may impact housing costs in some markets, the overall issue is a lack of available homes.
Project 2025 and Pregnancy Registry
Walz falsely claimed that Project 2025 would create a pregnancy registry. The initiative actually focuses on collecting data related to abortions, not pregnancies.
Immigration Numbers
Vance overstated the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S., claiming 20-25 million, while official estimates put the figure at around 11 million as of January 2022.
Minnesota Abortion Law
Vance distorted a Minnesota abortion law, suggesting that doctors are not obligated to provide care to infants born alive after a failed abortion. In reality, the law requires medical personnel to care for such infants.
Trump's Jan. 6th Comments
Vance referenced Trump's remarks on January 6th, highlighting his call for peaceful protest. However, Trump also made inflammatory statements urging the crowd to march to the Capitol.
Fact-checking plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate information reaches the public, especially during political debates. It is essential for voters to have access to verified facts to make informed decisions.
