Did A Houston Congressman Put Money For A Telescope Ahead Of Flood Prevention?

The Democratic challenger to Republican Congressman John Culberson of Houston says Culberson landed $680 million in federal aid for a telescope in South America, while voting against flood prevention and fixing dams back home. Did that happen? Gardner Selby of the PolitiFact Texas fact-checking project based at the Austin American-Statesman has the answer.

Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, the Democratic nominee running against Culberson in the state’s 7th Congressional District, made this claim. In a TV ad showing flood-hit local residents, Pannill Fletcher says that Culberson has prioritized things other than flood protection and prevention in Houston.

“He got $680 million for a telescope in South America. But Culberson voted against funding to fix dams in Texas, and FEMA funding to prepare for floods,” people say in the ad.

Hear how Fletcher’s claim scored in the player above.

Written by Morgan Kuehler.