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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity is 56. The grade is held to 30, 30 above Relevance. 30 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
80 / 100
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Relevance
0 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
88 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Claims 38% Positioning 14% Promise 20% The ask 5% Reasoning 18% Procedure 4%
Structure · 8 steps
Claims · 2
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Claims · 79 words the rulemaking process that was initiated in the Biden administration in 2022 has continued on the VA’s list of work and has never been withdrawn and continues to be considered.1 And as I indicated now for the third time--indicated by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs--the Department--that it will be implemented.2 Vague promise I just know that repeating the same political talking points without a realistic alternative has prevented these bills--and particularly the Richard Star Act--from passing for years. Positioning · 19 words It has been too easy for us to put our name on the legislation and never see it accomplished. Positioning Promise · 42 words We can tell our veterans we are supporting them, we are working for them--I want a path forward that actually demonstrates that we are able to accomplish the elimination of this injustice and the support for veterans who desperately need our attention. Positioning · 11 words Our veterans should not have to--they know the cost of war. Positioning The ask · 10 words They should not have to wait for us any longer. Reasoning · 37 words And, again, the offer that the Senator from Connecticut indicated, it is the same kind of UC request with something as was--that doesn’t result in a result because it is not an offset that satisfies the law. Off point Procedure · 9 words The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Schmitt). The Senator from Indiana. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×8 Procedure ×3 Positioning ×2 Vague promise Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 80
5 of 14 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.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “It has been too easy for us to put our name on the legislation and never see it accomplished.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Our veterans should not have to--they know the cost of war.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “Schmitt).” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “The Senator from Indiana.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
8 of 14 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.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “the rulemaking process that was initiated in the Biden administration in 2022 has continued on the VA’s list of work and has never been withdrawn and continues to be considered.” Discusses a VA rulemaking process from 2022, not the Maxwell clemency resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “And as I indicated now for the third time--indicated by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs--the Department--that it will be implemented.” Continues about VA implementation plans, unrelated to the bill under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I just know that repeating the same political talking points without a realistic alternative has prevented these bills--and particularly the Richard Star Act--from passing for years.” Argues about political talking points blocking other legislation, the Richard Star Act, rather than addressing the Maxwell resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “It has been too easy for us to put our name on the legislation and never see it accomplished.” General complaint about cosponsoring legislation without results, not about the bill under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “We can tell our veterans we are supporting them, we are working for them--I want a path forward that actually demonstrates that we are able to accomplish the elimination of this injustice and the support for veterans who desperately need our attention.” Speaks about a path forward on veterans’ legislation, not the Maxwell clemency measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Our veterans should not have to--they know the cost of war.” General remark about veterans and the cost of war, unrelated to the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “They should not have to wait for us any longer.” Urges not making veterans wait, without addressing the Maxwell bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “And, again, the offer that the Senator from Connecticut indicated, it is the same kind of UC request with something as was--that doesn’t result in a result because it is not an offset that satisfies the law.” Debates a unanimous consent request and offsets on veterans’ legislation, not the resolution under debate.
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 · 88
1 of 14 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.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “it will be implemented” No actor, date, or measure is given for when or how the rulemaking will be implemented.
Claims · 2
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 rulemaking process that was initiated in the Biden administration in 2022” A VA rulemaking process was initiated under the Biden administration in 2022 and has continued without being withdrawn. search 2 “indicated by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs--the Department--that it will be implemented” The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs has indicated, for the third time, that the rulemaking will be implemented. search
