Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Mark Pocan

Democrat on Stop Insider Trading Act 2026-07-22

185 words · 13 sentences · 14 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 89 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Claims 59%Positioning 22%Aside 14%The ask 4%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Claims · 81 wordsAs a Member of Congress, I don’t own any individual stocks because, as a byproduct of my job, I get inside information on many publicly traded companies.¹ We don’t let people with insider information buy stock because it impacts markets and threatens public trust in a system that so many of our retirement dollars are in. However, this bill before us puts Members of Congress above the law. It is not a real congressional stock trading ban like other bipartisan measures. Positioning · 5 wordsThis is a weak alternative.Positioning Aside · 26 wordsIt is like Velveeta to real Wisconsin cheese. It has been said that this bill has loopholes so big a Qatari jet could go through them.AsideHidden agency Claims · 29 wordsIt still allows Members to hold stock.² It still allows Members to buy stocks with dividends.³ It still allows family members to buy stocks for others for any reason.⁴ Positioning · 36 wordsIt is basically the opposite of a real stock trading ban for Members of Congress, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This bill continues the corruption of what marks too much of what is done in Washington.Positioning Mr. Speaker, The ask · 8 wordsplease don’t support this Velveeta and weak bill.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 63

5 of 6 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “This is a weak alternative.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “It is like Velveeta to real Wisconsin cheese.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “It has been said that this bill has loopholes so big a Qatari jet could go through them.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “It is basically the opposite of a real stock trading ban for Members of Congress, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “This bill continues the corruption of what marks too much of what is done in Washington.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 6 deductions are Relevance

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the bill under debate.

Nothing lost points.

Reasoning · 93

0 of 6 deductions are Reasoning

Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.

Nothing lost points.

Conclusions found · 2

Conclusion“This bill continues the corruption of what marks too much of what is done in Washington.”

Because“It still allows Members to hold stock.”

“It still allows Members to buy stocks with dividends.”

“It still allows family members to buy stocks for others for any reason.”

Reason given
Conclusion“please don’t support this Velveeta and weak bill.”

Because“It is not a real congressional stock trading ban like other bipartisan measures.”

“This is a weak alternative.”

“It still allows Members to hold stock.”

“It still allows Members to buy stocks with dividends.”

“It still allows family members to buy stocks for others for any reason.”

Reason given

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

1 of 6 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Wording that hides who did something, or who will.What the tags mean “It has been said”The passive names no source for the claim about loopholes, so the reader cannot check who said it.

Claims · 4

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“as a byproduct of my job, I get inside information on many publicly traded companies.”Mark Pocan does not own any individual stocks.search
2“It still allows Members to hold stock.”The Stop Insider Trading Act permits Members of Congress to continue holding stocks.search
3“It still allows Members to buy stocks with dividends.”The Stop Insider Trading Act permits Members of Congress to purchase stocks using dividend proceeds.search
4“It still allows family members to buy stocks for others for any reason.”The Stop Insider Trading Act permits family members of Members of Congress to buy stocks on behalf of others for any reason.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15