Fact check: Fabricated image of Republican policy agenda circulates ahead of midterms

Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY
·3 min read
163

The claim: An image shows House Republicans' 'Commitment to America' plan

In the leadup to the 2022 midterm elections, House Republicans unveiled an agenda dubbed "Commitment to America" focused on addressing immigration, crime and energy. Some social media users are circulating a graphic that purportedly shows elements of the plan.

The graphic, shared to Instagram on Oct. 17, contains the "Commitment to America" logo. It says if Republicans take control of Congress in November, they will tax disabled veteran benefits and employer-sponsored health care plans, raise Medicare eligibility to age 75 and end eligibility for anyone over 90, and make Social Security benefits ineligible for certain groups of people with other retirement assets.

"Sound horrible? At least the GOP come out and admit (sic) their evil plans," reads part of the post's caption.

The post generated over 500 likes in a week. Similar posts have spread widely on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

But the graphic is digitally altered, according to a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican who helped author the plan.

House Republicans have not released any such plans on Social Security, Medicare or taxes as part of the Commitment to America agenda.

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USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment.

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy introduces the House GOP's "Commitment to America," at a gathering at Ductmate Industries, Friday, Sep. 23, 2022 in Monongahela, Pa. (Pam Panchak/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) ORG XMIT: PAPIT556
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy introduces the House GOP's "Commitment to America," at a gathering at Ductmate Industries, Friday, Sep. 23, 2022 in Monongahela, Pa. (Pam Panchak/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) ORG XMIT: PAPIT556

Graphic of GOP plan is manipulated

The image is fabricated and contains false information, Mark Bednar, McCarthy's spokesperson, told USA TODAY in an email.

Lauren Fine, communications director for House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, also confirmed the image is not authentic.

USA TODAY did not find any of the proposals in the graphic listed on Commitment to America's website, either.

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A one-page summary of Commitment to America's initiatives says they include saving and strengthening Social Security and Medicare and bringing stability to the economy "through pro-growth tax and deregulatory policies."

But there are no mentions of cuts to any programs or taxing specific benefits and plans.

PolitiFact, Reuters and the Associated Press also debunked the claim.

Our rating: Altered

Based on our research, we rate ALTERED an image purporting to show House Republicans' 'Commitment to America' plan. The graphic was not issued by House Republicans. None of the points listed in the image exist on Commitment to America's official agenda or website.

Our fact-check sources:

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Fabricated image of Republican policy agenda circulates