TOLEDO, Ohio — Editor's note: A previous version of this story required more context to verify claims made in the two campaign ads. Clarification has been included throughout this report to show that Rep. Kaptur has been a primary sponsor on multiple bills throughout her career that got implemented into other legislation that subsequently passed and became law, and that votes that she made throughout her career led to funds that went toward the hiring of border security guards.
With the election less than 40 days away, you've undoubtedly been seeing a lot of political ads.
Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur is going up against Republican Derek Merrin for the 9th Congressional seat.
Political ads from both sides are making their rounds, but is what they are saying true?
Several viewers have reached out to the Verify team to look into some political claims. One was against U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the other promoting Kaptur.
THE QUESTION 1
Has Kaptur only passed one bill in the past 15 years?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
The claim Kaptur has only passed one bill in 15 years needs context.
WHAT WE FOUND
The right-leaning political action committee Congressional Leadership Fund has released an ad claiming Kaptur has only passed one bill in the past 15 years.
"Most things that become law, especially these days, actually become law by being incorporated in some other larger bill," Nelson said.
Several bills on which Kaptur was the main author eventually were incorporated into larger bills. Kaptur's office states this is the case for 19 bills that became law in the past 15 years.
Kaptur was the main, standalone author of one bill that passed and become law in 15 years. But she has co-sponsored 112 bills that have passed and become law in that same time period.
"A primary sponsor is the person that introduces the bill and drops it in the hopper and gets everything rolling," Nelson said. "A co-sponsor is someone that co-sponsored onto someone else's bill. It's much more common to co-sponsor than to sponsor."
Since entering Congress 41 years ago, she's been the primary sponsor of five bills that have passed and became law. But she's co-sponsored 660 bills while in D.C.
THE QUESTION 2
Has Kaptur voted to hire 10,000 border security agents?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
The claim Kaptur voted to hire 10,000 border security agents needs context, too.
WHAT WE FOUND
Marcy Kaptur for Congress is running an ad on border security.
More than 10,000 new border guards were added over the last 30 years, according to Border Protection.
Kaptur's office provided WTOL 11 records of votes made by the congresswoman between 1994 and 2023 providing money to the border, and those dollars ultimately were used to hire new border agents.
WTOL 11 reached out to both Kaptur for Congress, and the Congressional Leadership Fund for comment:
"Whether it was the PACT Act, which was the largest expansion of VA care in 30 years, the Butch Lewis Act which saved more than 1 million worker pensions nationwide, or the Great Lakes Authority Act which will protect our Great Lakes and grows jobs in our region — Congresswoman Kaptur has passed significant pieces of legislation and voters see the results of her hard work in communities all across the 9th District. More than 100 new police officers protecting our neighborhoods, a new federal courthouse, assistance to fire departments of all sizes ... these are all direct results of Congresswoman Kaptur's hard work to protect the people of northwest Ohio. Just this week, for example, Congresswoman Kaptur passed the Care for Military Kids Act which would ensure healthcare for 3 million children in military families, with overwhelming bipartisan support. Congresswoman Kaptur will never stop fighting for the hardworking families of Northwest Ohio families no matter how hard Derek Merrin and his henchmen lie about her record.” - Jake Strassberger, Kaptur for Congress
"Marcy Kaptur may not like to admit it, but the simple fact is she’s only passed one bill in the last 15 years. It’s time for her to face reality and come clean with Ohio voters: Marcy Kaptur just doesn’t get the job done anymore." Courtney Parella, CLF spokeswoman.