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U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser docks at a naval base near the entrance to the Panama Canal

Politics Oct 19

Fact-checking Trump’s claim that each boat strike off Venezuela’s coast saves 25,000 lives

By Maria Ramirez Uribe, PolitiFact

U.S. Attorney General Bondi testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington

Fact-checking Hawley’s claims that the FBI ‘tapped’ his and other senators’ phones

Legal experts said Hawley misused the term "tapping" to describe the data searches.

By Louis Jacobson, Amy Sherman, PolitiFact

FILE PHOTO: First day of a partial government shutdown, in Washington

Fact-checking what politicians are saying about the 2025 government shutdown

When Congress can’t reach a funding agreement, both sides of the political aisle whip up talking points about what a shutdown means for the economy, immigration, worker paychecks, disaster response and services for low-income families. The blame is nearly always…

By Louis Jacobson, Samantha Putterman, Amy Sherman, PolitiFact

U.S. President Donald Trump returns to Washington

How a government shutdown could give Trump more power

A fight between Republicans and Democrats could lead to an Oct. 1 federal government shutdown, leaving President Donald Trump and his congressional allies in charge of the government. What can Trump do on his own?…

By Amy Sherman, PolitiFact

FILE PHOTO: A pregnant woman, in the last trimester of her pregnancy, poses in this illustration photo in Sete

Research doesn’t show using Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. Here are 5 things to know

There’s no known single cause of autism.

By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact

4 fact-checks from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate testimony over COVID-19 vaccines, CDC

By PolitiFact staff

PolitiFact fact-checked some of the most notable back-and-forth moments.

Fact-checking RFK Jr.’s claim that ‘everybody can get’ the COVID-19 vaccine

By Grace Abels, Maria Ramirez Uribe, PolitiFact

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s blanket statement to senators is misleading and premature.

Can RFK Jr. take COVID vaccines off the market? Here’s what vaccine law experts say

By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy can’t unilaterally ban COVID-19 vaccines, although access may be more limited this fall. Federal rules outline the vaccine license revocation process, and experts said a ban attempt would likely face legal challenge.

What to know about flesh-eating screwworms (and why you don’t need to panic)

By Grace Abels, PolitiFact

Doctors found a flesh-eating worm in a Maryland resident but it's not the time to panic. The screwworms hitched a ride to the U.S. from El Salvador and overall risk to public health is low.

Fact-checking RFK Jr.’s claim that pediatricians recommend vaccines for money

By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact

Pediatric practices often break even or lose money on vaccines. Doctors say they administer vaccines in accordance with scientific data about what is good for patient health.