Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Charles E. Schumer

Democrat on Sanctions (Executive Session) 2026-07-28

365 words · 19 sentences · 24 clauses

Statement grade

B–

Average 74 / 100

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

Thanks 10%Anecdote 15%Positioning 2%Reasoning 31%Claims 24%Promise 11%The ask 6%

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

Mr. President, Thanks · 38 wordsfirst let me thank the Senator from Alabama for her poignant and strong and much needed words. Let me thank my colleague from New Hampshire, along with Senator Blumenthal, for leading the fight in this very important issue.Thanks Anecdote · 54 wordsNow, I just got back from a beautiful service honoring Lindsey Graham.¹ The service honoring Lindsey Graham today was a tribute not only to our friend Lindsey but to his belief that America can act as a positive force on the global stage, especially in Ukraine. I didn’t agree with Lindsey on many things, AnecdotePositioning · 9 wordsbut Lindsey understood something Trump has yet to learn: PositioningReasoning · 6 wordsIt takes resolve to earn respect. Claims · 20 wordsInstead of standing strongly behind Ukraine and squarely against Vladimir Putin, Trump has tried and failed to pander to Russia. Reasoning · 53 wordsAt a time when Ukraine is turning the tide in the war against Putin, we must show the Ukrainians that our Congress and our country are fully behind them and show Putin that his war is a losing battle because the people of the United States and this Senate stand behind the Ukrainians. Promise · 41 wordsWith this bill, we are going to show the Russians we mean business.Vague promise We are going to impose steep, mandatory sanctions to clamp down on the Russian war machine, drain the Kremlin’s war chest, and truly cripple the Russian war effort. Reasoning · 33 wordsThat is how you make a bully like Putin listen, by putting real pressure on him to end this devastating war. Words will not do; actions matter. This is strong action, strong medicine. The ask · 10 wordsAnd Trump should not pass up--better not pass up--this opportunity. Reasoning · 22 wordsIf Trump tries to abuse these tools and continue kowtowing to Putin, he will only make himself and our country look weaker. Claims · 66 wordsMake no mistake, there is an overwhelming majority in this country that wants to see Russia defeated and Ukraine victorious in this fight against Putin’s authoritarian invasion.Unearned certainty President Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine is changing the tide in this war and gaining momentum every day.³ We are seeing it happen with our own eyes.Unearned certainty Lindsey Graham spent his final days trying to help Ukraine achieve victory.² The ask · 13 wordsWe ought to do the same in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 68

6 of 9 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “first let me thank the Senator from Alabama for her poignant and strong and much needed words.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Let me thank my colleague from New Hampshire, along with Senator Blumenthal, for leading the fight in this very important issue.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Now, I just got back from a beautiful service honoring Lindsey Graham.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “The service honoring Lindsey Graham today was a tribute not only to our friend Lindsey but to his belief that America can act as a positive force on the global stage, especially in Ukraine.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I didn’t agree with Lindsey on many things,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “but Lindsey understood something Trump has yet to learn:”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

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 · 79

3 of 9 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are going to show the Russians we mean business”No specific measure, actor or condition is given beyond an unspecified display of resolve.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “Make no mistake”The formula asserts certainty about public opinion without offering a source.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “We are seeing it happen with our own eyes”The claim of direct observation substitutes for any source or evidence.

Claims · 3

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“I just got back from a beautiful service honoring Lindsey Graham”A service honoring Lindsey Graham was held on July 28, 2026, and Senator Schumer attended it.search
2“Lindsey Graham spent his final days trying to help Ukraine achieve victory.”In his final days, Lindsey Graham was working to help Ukraine achieve victory.search
3“President Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine is changing the tide in this war and gaining momentum every day.”President Zelenskyy has publicly said that Ukraine is changing the tide in the war and gaining momentum every day.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15