PolitiFact rules Nelson's claim that Mack protected Chevron only half true

Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s new television ad hits Republican Connie Mack for "protecting Chevron oil from a multi-billion dollar lawsuit over pollution of rivers and rain forests."

Mack’s act of protection is a yet-to-be-heard congressional resolution listing the Chevron case as one of many reasons to withhold trade preferences with Ecuador. Resolutions are symbolic gestures, so it would take a law for Congress to take real action on Ecuadorian trade practices.

But, PolitiFact found, the Chevron case is complicated. Chevron says it did not get a fair trial in Ecuador and should not be held responsible. The resolution, however, appears to be designed to exert political pressure on the country in Chevron’s favor. PolitiFact Florida rates Nelson’s claim Half True. Read the ruling here.