Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Dan Sullivan

Republican on Legislative Session 2026-07-29

1411 words · 103 sentences · 132 clauses

Statement grade

Average 76 / 100

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

Greeting 4%Anecdote 15%Thanks 9%Procedure 5%Claims 40%Aside 1%Promise 1%Reasoning 1%The ask 11%The question 5%Positioning 7%

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

Mr. President, Greeting · 57 wordsI would like to echo and reinforce the words of my good friend Senator Barrasso, the majority whip, Senator from Wyoming, who was doing a great job yesterday and the beautiful service that we had here in the Capitol and at the National Cathedral in honor of my very good friend and Senate colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham.¹Greeting Anecdote · 14 wordsAnd, you know, the eulogies were great. It was a beautiful service. He was, AnecdoteThanks · 59 wordsas I mentioned, a dear friend, colleague, a patriot, a veteran, a staunch advocate for his State South Carolina, staunch advocate for the Senate, and a staunch advocate for a strong America. As Senator Barrasso just said, peace through strength in the sense of American freedom, not just at home but abroad. He was one of a kind--witty, brilliant.Thanks Procedure · 3 wordsCertainly, Mr. President, ProcedureThanks · 23 wordsas you know, one of our Nation’s most important and influential Senators. He had a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh.Thanks Claims · 25 wordsAnd a lot of us here on the Senate floor are talking about his legacy and what we should be doing to honor that legacy. Procedure · 17 wordsWell, I think one of the things we should be doing--and we are doing it right now, ProcedureClaims · 53 wordsand it is great--is this sanctions bill against Russia, against Iran. And Senator Graham had been leading the efforts on this sanctions bill for a couple years now, ²and we are passing it here in the Senate in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion. Over 80 Senators voted to get on the bill last night.³ Aside · 14 wordsI know Lindsey is looking down from Heaven very proud he made this happen.Aside Claims · 22 wordsI was honored to be an original cosponsor of this bill from the very, very beginning working with him on these issues.⁴ Promise · 7 wordsAnd we have got more to do. Claims · 23 wordsI have a very analogous sanctions bill with regard to China and Taiwan that Senator Graham was a lead cosponsor of my bill.⁵ Promise · 4 wordsThat is coming next. Claims · 12 wordsBut it is about honoring him, and this is a bipartisan win. Mr. President, Reasoning · 12 wordsI think there is another way we need to honor Senator Graham, Claims · 5 wordsand it is not happening. Procedure · 7 wordsIt is kind of a new thing.Procedure Claims · 10 wordsWe have got the minority whip coming to the floor, The ask · 9 wordsand I hope he can maybe respond to this. Claims · 17 wordsBut it is a new thing that I have seen--I have never seen, actually, in my career, Promise · 6 wordsand we need to change it. The ask · 26 wordsAnd what that is, is getting on the National Defense Authorization Act to start debating it and working on a defense supplemental because we need it. Procedure · 8 wordsNow, we are talking about honoring Lindsey Graham.Procedure Anecdote · 32 wordsI knew Lindsey Graham really, really well. I guarantee you Lindsey Graham would be on the Senate floor right now saying: Logical leapWait. We are moving our sanctions bill forward? Great. Bipartisan? Great.Anecdote Claims · 92 wordsWhat about the NDAA--the National Defense Authorization Act--that funds our military, pay raises for our troops. It came out of the Armed Services Committee in a big bipartisan vote and then came to the Senate floor--screeching halt because the minority leader blocked it.⁶ By the way, I have been in the Senate almost 12 years.⁷ I have never seen that happen in my entire career. The bill that funds our military, that lays out the strategy and top-line number for our military during a dangerous time, is blocked by the Senate Democrats. Anecdote · 11 wordsLindsey Graham would be on the floor raising hell about that.Anecdote Claims · 22 wordsI have never seen it happen, and I have never had anyone on the other side of the aisle explain to me: The question · 35 wordsWhy are you blocking the bill that came out of committee in a strong bipartisan way during these dangerous times? You are blocking the bill to fund our military to take care of our troops? Claims · 1 wordsUnprecedented. The ask · 30 wordsSo if we want to honor Lindsey Graham, which we all do, let’s not just vote for the sanctions bill, but let’s get on the NDAA and start debating it. Claims · 24 wordsI haven’t heard one Democrat Senator give a reason why they are blocking it. I have never seen this happen. This is new territory. Procedure · 22 wordsLet me give you another one that I know Lindsey Graham would be on the floor right now advocating with me on.Procedure The ask · 6 wordsWe need a defense supplemental, OK? Claims · 22 wordsWhen President Biden was President and Senator Schumer was majority leader, the Biden White House sent over a defense supplemental on Ukraine.⁸ Anecdote · 30 wordsNow, Senators like myself, Senator Graham, others, we said: All right. We will look at that. We will work on that. We will improve it. We will make it better.Anecdote Claims · 112 wordsWe think it is important for the national defense of our Nation--which it was. We put a lot in there for the defense industrial base, which we did. We beefed up stuff relating to China and Taiwan, which made it a better bill. We beefed up elements of that bill to make it stronger with regard to Israel and Iran--made it a better bill and then worked on it together. We made it a stronger bill and then Senators like myself and Senator Graham whipped other Republicans to get it passed, and we got it passed. It was a bipartisan defense supplemental, primarily for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, ⁹and our defense industrial base. The ask · 17 wordsNow we need a defense industrial base supplemental for us--for America, for our troops, for our munitions. Claims · 16 wordsA couple years ago when the Biden administration with Senator Schumer in the majority, that happened, Anecdote · 22 wordsand a number of us--myself and Senator Graham--were like: All right. We will roll up our sleeves and work with you guys.Anecdote The question · 8 wordsWhat is happening on the defense supplemental now? Claims · 2 wordsNo cooperation. Positioning · 19 wordsNo one on the other side of the aisle wants to help our troops, wants to help our munitions.Positioning Claims · 4 wordsThis is new territory. Anecdote · 58 wordsI have been here two terms and on defense issues with Senator Graham--and, by the way, many other great Senators on the other side of the aisle. We have always locked arms and said: We are going to move forward on the NDAA; we are going to move forward on the defense supplemental, if our troops need it.Anecdote Claims · 11 wordsAnd what is happening right now is new; it is different; Positioning · 10 wordsand I think it is really bad for the country.Positioning Anecdote · 27 wordsAnd do you know who would be down on the Senate floor right now with me making the same arguments that I am? Senator Graham would be.Anecdote Procedure · 8 wordsSo let’s keep talking about honoring Senator Graham.Procedure Thanks · 38 wordsI love that guy. I am going to miss him every day. Such a great leader. So important to the Senate. Mind you, probably most the important Senator here given his work, given his relationship with the President.Thanks The ask · 19 wordsBut let’s not say we are going to honor Senator Graham--and then we are going to block the NDAA? Anecdote · 6 wordsLindsey Graham wouldn’t be doing that.Anecdote The question · 22 wordsWe are going to not engage at all with the Trump administration on a defense supplemental that our Department of Defense needs? Claims · 33 wordsWe didn’t do that when you guys were in the majority and President Biden was President. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work to benefit the national security of our Nation, Thanks · 8 wordswhich is what Lindsey Graham was always about.Thanks The ask · 19 wordsSo let’s honor Lindsey Graham. Let’s have a strong vote on the sanctions bill that is named after him.¹⁰ Procedure · 5 wordsBut to my Democratic colleagues: ProcedureThe question · 6 wordsYou want to honor Lindsey Graham? The ask · 9 wordsThen let’s start debating the NDAA. Quit blocking it. Claims · 11 wordsI have never seen that before in my entire time here. Positioning · 19 wordsThat doesn’t help anything. All it does is undermine our national security and our troops. You are doing it.Positioning Anecdote · 5 wordsLindsey wouldn’t be for that.Anecdote The ask · 11 wordsAnd let’s start engaging on a defense supplemental. We need it. Claims · 47 wordsWe did it when you were in the majority. We did it when Biden was in the White House. A lot of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle know that what they are doing is wrong, Unearned certaintyand I still haven’t heard a good explanation. Positioning · 51 wordsI know the far left is driving the energy of the party on the Democratic side right now and they don’t like the military and they don’t like supporting our troops.Unearned certainty I know that. But the vast majority of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I know them.Positioning The ask · 14 wordsLet’s get going on the NDAA. Let’s get going on the defense supplemental bill. Anecdote · 10 wordsThat is exactly what Senator Graham would be arguing today.Anecdote Procedure · 4 wordsI yield the floor.Procedure

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 46

61 of 64 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.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “I would like to echo and reinforce the words of my good friend Senator Barrasso, the majority whip, Senator from Wyoming, who was doing a great job yesterday and the beautiful service that we had here in the Capitol and at the National Cathedral in honor of my very good friend and Senate colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “And, you know, the eulogies were great.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “It was a beautiful service.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He was,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “as I mentioned, a dear friend, colleague, a patriot, a veteran, a staunch advocate for his State South Carolina, staunch advocate for the Senate,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and a staunch advocate for a strong America.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “As Senator Barrasso just said, peace through strength in the sense of American freedom, not just at home but abroad.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “He was one of a kind--witty, brilliant.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Certainly, Mr. President,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “as you know, one of our Nation’s most important and influential Senators.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “He had a great sense of humor.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “He loved to laugh.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Well, I think one of the things we should be doing--and we are doing it right now,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I know Lindsey is looking down from Heaven very proud he made this happen.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “It is kind of a new thing.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Now, we are talking about honoring Lindsey Graham.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I knew Lindsey Graham really, really well.”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 guarantee you Lindsey Graham would be on the Senate floor right now saying:”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Wait.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We are moving our sanctions bill forward?”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Great.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Bipartisan?”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Great.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Lindsey Graham would be on the floor raising hell about that.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Let me give you another one that I know Lindsey Graham would be on the floor right now advocating with me on.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Now, Senators like myself, Senator Graham, others, we said:”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “All right.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We will look at that.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We will work on that.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We will improve it.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We will make it better.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and a number of us--myself and Senator Graham--were like:”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “All right.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We will roll up our sleeves and work with you guys.”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 “No one on the other side of the aisle wants to help our troops, wants to help our munitions.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I have been here two terms and on defense issues with Senator Graham--and, by the way, many other great Senators on the other side of the aisle.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We have always locked arms and said:”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We are going to move forward on the NDAA;”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “we are going to move forward on the defense supplemental,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “if our troops need it.”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 “and I think it is really bad for the country.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “And do you know who would be down on the Senate floor right now with me making the same arguments that I am?”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Senator Graham would be.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “So let’s keep talking about honoring Senator Graham.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I love that guy.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I am going to miss him every day.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Such a great leader.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “So important to the Senate.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Mind you, probably most the important Senator here given his work, given his relationship with the President.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Lindsey Graham wouldn’t be doing that.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “which is what Lindsey Graham was always about.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “But to my Democratic colleagues:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “That doesn’t help anything.”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 “All it does is undermine our national security and our troops.”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 “You are doing it.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Lindsey wouldn’t be for that.”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 “I know the far left is driving the energy of the party on the Democratic side right now and they don’t like the military and they don’t like supporting our troops.”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 “I know that.”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 “But the vast majority of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I know them.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “That is exactly what Senator Graham would be arguing today.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I yield the floor.”Procedure or throat-clearing: 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.

Reasoning · 92

1 of 64 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.

A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it.What the tags mean “I guarantee you Lindsey Graham would be on the Senate floor right now saying:”The funding rationale stands, but honoring Graham rests on the speaker’s counterfactual guarantee of what Graham would say.

Conclusions found · 6

Conclusion“but let’s get on the NDAA and start debating it.”

Because“And Senator Graham had been leading the efforts on this sanctions bill for a couple years now,”

“Over 80 Senators voted to get on the bill last night.”

“What about the NDAA--the National Defense Authorization Act--that funds our military, pay raises for our troops.”

“It came out of the Armed Services Committee in a big bipartisan vote and then came to the Senate floor--screeching halt because the minority leader blocked it.”

Reason given
Conclusion“We need a defense supplemental, OK?”

Because“Now we need a defense industrial base supplemental for us--for America, for our troops, for our munitions.”

Reason given
Conclusion“Then let’s start debating the NDAA.”

Because“What about the NDAA--the National Defense Authorization Act--that funds our military, pay raises for our troops.”

“It came out of the Armed Services Committee in a big bipartisan vote and then came to the Senate floor--screeching halt because the minority leader blocked it.”

“Quit blocking it.”

Reason flawedThe funding rationale stands, but honoring Graham rests on the speaker’s counterfactual guarantee of what Graham would say.
Conclusion“And let’s start engaging on a defense supplemental.”

Because“Now we need a defense industrial base supplemental for us--for America, for our troops, for our munitions.”

“We did it when you were in the majority.”

“We did it when Biden was in the White House.”

Reason given
Conclusion“Let’s get going on the NDAA.”

Because“What about the NDAA--the National Defense Authorization Act--that funds our military, pay raises for our troops.”

“The bill that funds our military, that lays out the strategy and top-line number for our military during a dangerous time, is blocked by the Senate Democrats.”

Reason given
Conclusion“Let’s get going on the defense supplemental bill.”

Because“Now we need a defense industrial base supplemental for us--for America, for our troops, for our munitions.”

“No cooperation.”

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 · 91

2 of 64 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “know that what they are doing is wrong”Asserts knowledge of colleagues’ private beliefs with no source or evidence offered.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “I know the far left is driving the energy of the party on the Democratic side right now and they don’t like the military and they don’t like supporting our troops.”Certainty asserted in place of any source for a sweeping claim about a faction’s motives.

Claims · 10

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“the beautiful service that we had here in the Capitol and at the National Cathedral in honor of my very good friend and Senate colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham”A memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham was held in the Capitol and at the National Cathedral the day before this speech.search
2“Senator Graham had been leading the efforts on this sanctions bill for a couple years now”Senator Lindsey Graham had been the lead sponsor of a Russia/Iran sanctions bill for roughly two years.search
3“Over 80 Senators voted to get on the bill last night”More than 80 Senators voted to proceed to the Russia/Iran sanctions bill the night before this speech.search
4“I was honored to be an original cosponsor of this bill”Dan Sullivan was an original cosponsor of the Russia/Iran sanctions bill.search
5“I have a very analogous sanctions bill with regard to China and Taiwan that Senator Graham was a lead cosponsor of my bill”Sullivan has introduced a China/Taiwan sanctions bill of which Lindsey Graham was a lead cosponsor.search
6“It came out of the Armed Services Committee in a big bipartisan vote”The NDAA was reported out of the Senate Armed Services Committee with a large bipartisan vote.search
7“I have been in the Senate almost 12 years”Dan Sullivan has served in the Senate for nearly 12 years.search
8“the Biden White House sent over a defense supplemental on Ukraine”The Biden administration sent Congress a defense supplemental appropriation request focused on Ukraine while Schumer was majority leader.search
9“It was a bipartisan defense supplemental, primarily for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, ”Congress passed a bipartisan defense supplemental appropriations bill covering Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the defense industrial base.search
10“the sanctions bill that is named after him”The Russia/Iran sanctions bill before the Senate is named after Senator Graham.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-16