Conservative
Type 40
PolitiFact | Blog post says GOP has sponsored "zero" job creation bills
so much for the Dem talking point 'the GOP has offered ZERO bills on jobs'.
A reader recently sent us a post circulating on Facebook and on blogs that blames the House Republican majority for focusing their legislation on lots of topics -- except for job creation. Heres the text of the chart:
"The numbers: Republicans have introduced 44 bills on abortion, 99 on religion, 71 on family relationships, 36 on marriage, 67 on firearms/gun control, 522 on taxation, 445 on government investigations, and zero on job creation."
However, our research suggests that the lack of bills labeled "job creation" this year doesn't mean there have been no bills aimed at promoting employment introduced in the current Congress.
Why? The House version of President Barack Obamas American Jobs Act -- which were sure the president and his supporters would characterize as a "job creation" bill -- doesnt even get slapped with that subject heading.
And how many bills have been introduced under these other headings? Heres the list. (Some bills may be included in more than one category.)
Economic development: 64 bills
Economic performance and conditions: 55 bills
Employee hiring: 24 bills
Employment and training programs: 172 bills
Labor and employment: 151 bills
Unemployment: 107 bills
Wages and earnings: 143 bills
Our ruling
While congressional Republicans have certainly introduced dozens of bills on social issues and other topics, the claim that the GOP has focused on issues other than job creation just isn't supported. The numbers cited in the post include Democratic bills, and the definition of what constitutes a "job creation" bill is open to significant debate.
But the posts most important flaw is the contention that Republicans have offered "zero" bills on job creation. This number stems from a methodology that also excludes Obamas American Jobs Act from the category of "job creation" bills. If you look at alternative job-related subject headings, the number of bills offered by lawmakers from both parties actually exceeds most of the social-issues listed in the blog post. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.
so much for the Dem talking point 'the GOP has offered ZERO bills on jobs'.
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