PolitiFact is reporting that Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's claim that his Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, received a "$14 million payout as a pharma lobbyist" is false. It said federal and Michigan records do not show Rogers ever working as a registered lobbyist for any company, including pharmaceuticals, after leaving Congress. PolitiFact found no record of him working in the pharmaceutical industry.
The fact-checking organization said Rogers did paid consulting work for technology companies after leaving Congress. It noted that while Rogers' net worth increased significantly since 2015, potentially by more than $14 million, this growth includes corporate advising, consulting, investments, and property value increases, not a single "payout" for pharmaceutical lobbying. Rogers' campaign sent El-Sayed a cease and desist letter, calling the statements defamatory. El-Sayed partially walked back the "pharma lobbyist" claim in a social media video but maintained Rogers prioritized "Big Pharma." PolitiFact rated El-Sayed's statement "Pants on Fire!"
PolitiFact is also reporting on concerns from lawmakers regarding a potential caregiving crisis following the U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., stated that roughly one-third of the more than 350,000 lawful Haitian TPS holders work in the U.S. healthcare system, warning of a crisis in hospitals, nursing homes, and the intellectual disabilities community. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said seniors would lose caregivers, exacerbating an existing crisis.
The program allows foreign nationals from crisis-stricken countries to live in the U.S. for up to 18 months, with previous administrations often renewing designations, making them effectively permanent. The Supreme Court's decision affects approximately 330,000 Haitians whose work authorizations expire July 10, making them subject to deportation unless they qualify for another status. The ruling also applies to Syrians and Venezuelans. PolitiFact said data supports Lawler's estimates regarding the number of Haitian TPS holders and their participation in the healthcare workforce. Healthcare experts anticipate a significant impact on the healthcare industry, particularly in Florida, New York, and Massachusetts, given an aging U.S. population and existing caregiver shortages. The Boston Globe found that about 13,000 Haitian TPS holders work as nursing assistants, caring for 65,000 patients, and another 8,000 serve 12,000 children and aging people.