The UpTake

The research for these fact checks was prepared by students and graduates of the Masters of Advocacy and Political Leadership program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. First fact check a statement from Chip Cravaack about 9/11. > Cravaack : “In regard to Afghanistan, you have to remember that the bi-partisan 9/11 Commission stated we are at war with Islamic fundamentalists. And right now that war is in Afghanistan.” False. The phrase “at war with Islamic fundamentalists” never appears in the official published 9/11 Commission Report. > Oberstar: “That meltdown of the economy was devastating. It (The Recession) started in December 2007. The recession accelerated with great pace throughout 2008…” This is true . According to the National Bureau of Economic Research started in December of 2007. Next: Federal health care reform. > Cravaack: “And what did we get in return? What we’ve done… received is increased costs in our businesses, and a loss of jobs. This can be demonstrated right by, right down by, Medtronic. Medtronic has directly attributed this health care bill to $200 million loss… “ Cravaack’s statement that Medtronic would face a $200 Million dollar loss is misleading. While Medtronic faces an excise tax beginning in 2013, Medtronic says it may have additional income because of the health care law and cannot predict an actual gain or loss. > Craavaack “…and they said they could possibly lose up to 1,000 employees.” Cravaack’s statement that Medtronic says it could lose up to one thousand jobs is false. Medtronic’s President was reported to have said that , but a Medtronic spokesperson later said the company may lose jobs, but it is not accurate to say it will lose 1,000 jobs. > Cravaack “Remember President Obama came out and said that if you like your health care provider you can keep ‘em. If you like your doctor, you’ll be able to keep him. Well, 87 million Americans will not be able to keep their current health care plans...” U of M fact checkers found Cravaack’s claim to be misleading. 87 Million Americans could see changes in their health care plans, but they wouldn’t lose them as Cravaack suggests. In some cases the policies may be replaced by more generous coverage with the government subsidizing the premiums. > Oberstar “And the plan will save over $750 billion over ten years, according to the government’s Congressional Budget Office, and will save a trillion dollars over 20 years.” Oberstar’s claim of a trillion dollar savings over 20 years is misleading . There will be long-term savings, but the Congressional Budget Office says it does not provide estimates beyond a 10-year period. Next: claims about Oberstar’s clean water restoration act > Moderator: “Please discuss with us your opinion of how the proposed Clean Water Act will affect us in the 8th district. “ > Cravaack “The Clean Water Act, Congressman Oberstar has a current bill out that’s called The America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. What it’s going to do is actually federalize all waters of the United States…” Cravaack’s use of the term “federalize” is unclear and could be misleading . Allowing for federal regulation does not mean the federal government would confiscate wetlands. > Cravaack: “…up to and including a seasonal slough or even including a wet meadow. This will put a layer of restrictions and regulations coming from the federal government. This is actually The Clean Water Restoration Act which was Congressman Oberstar’s previous bill . . .was shot down twice by the , by the Supreme Court, it was under the Raponos agreement and SWANCC decision and the Rapanos agreement or decision, stating that it was a huge overreach of the federal government, quite frankly, against the 10th amendment. The Clean Water Restoration Act, now the Aqua Bill, is something we absolutely do not need in the United States and it is an overreach by the federal government, probably one of the biggest land grabs...</bloc