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Kevin McCarthy

House Minority Leader. 34 claims checked by other fact-checking organisations, from 2020 to 2024. The ratings are theirs, in their own words.

Checked by PolitiFact28 Nov 2023United StatesWar and conflict
Kevin McCarthy, Former House Speaker

“In every single war that America has fought, we have never asked for land afterwards, except for enough to bury the Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for that freedom we went in for.”

PolitiFact rated this: Pants on Fire

PolitiFact says: McCarthy’s assertion is undercut by two centuries of U.S. history, including land gains following wars against Mexico, Spain, Filipino rebels, Japan and Native American tribes.

Checked by FactCheck.org19 Sep 2023United StatesElections
Kevin McCarthy, U.S. House Speaker

“Nancy Pelosi changed the rules and the precedent,” in responding to a reporter who asked how he justified not holding a vote before launching an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden.”

FactCheck.org rated this: We Explain 2019/2023 Inquiries

FactCheck.org says: Pelosi held an authorizing vote about five weeks after she announced an impeachment inquiry into then-President Trump in 2019. But the Constitution and House rules do not require a vote before an inquiry can begin.

Checked by PolitiFact18 Sep 2023United StatesEconomy and jobs
Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker

“We know the bank records show that nearly $20 million in payments were directed to the Biden family members and associates through various shell companies.”

PolitiFact rated this: Half True

PolitiFact says: Financial records show a little less than $20 million in payments, but $14 million went to associates, while $5 million went to Biden family members. The bank records do not prove Joe Biden engaged in wrongdoing.

Checked by PolitiFact17 May 2023United States
Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker

“People across the country elect their representatives. What we do is, once we set the baseline, we go forward and we decide, Republicans and Democrats, what our priorities (are). It's the exact same thing that every single American family does.”

PolitiFact rated this: More different than similar

PolitiFact says: The U.S. government has taxing and borrowing powers a family doesn't, and they have broader responsibilities. Government budgeting is also vastly more complex.

Checked by Washington Post19 Jan 2023United States
Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker (R-Calif.)

“Just in the last four years that Democrats were in the majority, they increased discretionary spending by 30 percent. When Republicans were in the majority for the eight years prior, they didn’t increase it by $1.”

Washington Post rated this: Three Pinocchios

Washington Post says: McCarthy is relying on a technicality here but he is ignoring what Republican leaders actually did when they controlled Congress.

Checked by PolitiFact18 Jan 2023United States
Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker

“When the Republicans were in power the last time for eight years, do you know how much discretionary spending increased in those eight years? Zero.”

PolitiFact rated this: Half True

PolitiFact says: The increase in discretionary spending was close to zero when measured by “outlays,” or actual federal dollars out the door during a given year, but not for the spending approved in a given year for all future years.

Checked by Washington Post11 Aug 2022United StatesWar and conflict
Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader (R-Calif.)

“Do you make $75,000 or less? Democrats’ new army of 87,000 IRS agents will be coming for you — with 710,000 new audits for Americans who earn less than $75k.”

Washington Post rated this: Three Pinocchios

Washington Post says: The Biden administration is planning to hire 87,000 IRS employees over the next 10 years — not IRS audit agents. The audit figure lacks signficant context.