State of the Union

Fact-Checking Obama's Speech

Was Alito right to shake his head?

ABC News has taken the time to analyze the validity of Obama's claims on the economy, foreign policy, and health care in his State of the Union Speech Wednesday night. The president's statement that the Supreme Court reversed laws allowing foreign companies to limitlessly spend on campaigns, is "barely true," according to Politifact, a sentiment U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito seemed to agree with last night. Current federal law prevents any foreign organization or group of people from making direct or indirect donations to benefit a party in a federal, state, or local election. Other things Obama may have gotten wrong: Though Obama said his administration has excluded lobbyists from policymaking positions, some waivers have been granted and exceptions made. The president also allegedly overestimated the amount by which the proposed health-care overhaul would reduce the deficit.