Anecdote 18% Positioning 9% Claims 61% Procedure 9% Promise 3%
Structure · 17 steps
Claims · 14
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Anecdote · 125 words a week or 2 ago, I came down to the floor and talked about growing up in a small town in South Dakota. As I said in those remarks, I carry those South Dakotans with me in a special way in my work here in Washington. When I consider bills or look at regulations, I think about what kind of impact they will have on those Americans, on hard-working people without a lot of extra money in the budget, on people living paycheck to paycheck or, as was the case with some of the farmers I grew up with, harvest to harvest. I think about how to ensure that government isn’t standing in their way or taking up all the extra money in their budget. Anecdote Positioning · 32 words And it was hard-working Americans like the South Dakotans I grew up with who were at the top of my mind when Republicans drafted our landmark tax relief legislation back in 2017. Positioning Claims · 118 words The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates across the board, doubled the child tax credit, 1 and nearly doubled the standard deduction.2 It put more money in hard- working Americans’ pockets, money that they were able to use for their particular needs--from childcare to home repairs, to medical bills, to a family vacation. And those same hard-working Americans were our focus last year when we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts. Our first aim with the Working Families Tax Cuts was making the 2017 tax relief permanent, 3 and that is exactly what we did. Unearned certainty We made the lower tax rates permanent. We made the increased child tax credit permanent. And we made the increased standard deduction permanent. Procedure · 33 words But that was just the beginning. We weren’t content with a permanent extension of the 2017 tax relief. We wanted to do more for working families, and so that is what we did. Procedure Claims · 70 words As I said, our 2017 tax relief bill doubled the child tax credit. Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts not only made that permanent; it increased the child tax credit even further and then indexed it to inflation so its value will never go down.4 I said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction. Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts boosted the standard deduction even further. Procedure · 5 words And we didn’t stop there. Procedure Claims · 45 words We instituted two big new tax relief measures: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime.5 That meant major new tax relief for a whole host of working Americans--waiters, delivery people, bartenders, Uber and Lyft drivers, nurses, factory workers, paramedics, police officers, and many others. Procedure · 5 words And that still isn’t all. Procedure Claims · 41 words We instituted a new $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors, 6 and we created new tax-advantaged investment accounts to help parents save for their children’s future, starting with an initial $1,000 investment from the Federal Government for babies born between 2025 and 2028.7 Procedure · 22 words And that is far from the only thing we did to help the next generation get a headstart on their American dream. Procedure Claims · 237 words The Working Families Tax Cuts also made some significant improvements to the traditional 529 education savings plan, allowing those savings to be used for a greater variety of education-related expenses, like tutoring or home school materials and vocational and continuing education.8 On the higher education side, we implemented accountability and reforms and put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees. Hidden agency We also made permanent a policy I authored that allows employers to pay off a portion of their employees’ student loans, without the employee having to pay taxes on the repayment amount.9 And on top of all that, we created the Workforce Pell Program, 10 which will provide financial assistance to Americans in shorter term skills and career training programs, whether they are just starting out or looking to switch careers or develop new skills in their current field. This tax season, more than 35 million seniors claimed the new bonus deduction for older Americans.11 More than 29 million American workers were able to deduct overtime pay from their taxes, resulting in substantial tax savings.12 And more than 7.5 million workers deducted their tips on their taxes, ensuring they were able to keep more of their hard-earned money.13 And that is not to even mention the countless hard-working Americans who were able to take advantage of the increased standard deduction and the enhanced child tax credit. Tax refunds were up this season, 14 and it is no surprise. Positioning · 9 words It is the Working Families Tax Cuts at work. Positioning Unearned certainty Anecdote · 26 words I may live in Sioux Falls now, which is one of South Dakota’s bigger cities, but I spent a lot of time in smalltown South Dakota. Anecdote Positioning · 30 words And whenever I am there, I am proud to be able to share the details of the Working Families Tax Cuts and report that Republicans are delivering for working families. Positioning Promise · 26 words And we are going to continue to build on the Working Families Tax Cuts to expand opportunity and make life more affordable for hard- working Americans. Off point Vague promise Procedure · 11 words I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×50 Procedure ×9 Anecdote ×8 Positioning ×3 Unearned certainty ×2 Hidden agency 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 · 60
20 of 74 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.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “a week or 2 ago, I came down to the floor and talked about growing up in a small town in South Dakota.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “As I said in those remarks, I carry those South Dakotans with me in a special way in my work here in Washington.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “When I consider bills or look at regulations, I think about what kind of impact they will have on those Americans, on hard-working people without a lot of extra money in the budget, on people living paycheck to paycheck or,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “as was the case with some of the farmers I grew up with, harvest to harvest.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I think about how to ensure that government isn’t standing in their way or taking up all the extra money in their budget.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “And it was hard-working Americans like the South Dakotans I grew up with who were at the top of my mind when Republicans drafted our landmark tax relief legislation back in 2017.” 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 → “But that was just the beginning.” 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 → “We weren’t content with a permanent extension of the 2017 tax relief.” 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 → “We wanted to do more for working families,” 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 → “and so that is what we did.” 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 → “And we didn’t stop there.” 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 → “And that still isn’t all.” 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 → “And that is far from the only thing we did to help the next generation get a headstart on their American dream.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “It is the Working Families Tax Cuts at work.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I may live in Sioux Falls now,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “which is one of South Dakota’s bigger cities,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “but I spent a lot of time in smalltown South Dakota.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “And whenever I am there, I am proud to be able to share the details of the Working Families Tax Cuts and report that Republicans are delivering for working families.” 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 → “I yield the floor.” 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 → “I suggest the absence of a quorum.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
50 of 74 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 → “a week or 2 ago, I came down to the floor and talked about growing up in a small town in South Dakota.” Personal reminiscence about South Dakota, not the AGOA 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 → “As I said in those remarks, I carry those South Dakotans with me in a special way in my work here in Washington.” Personal background, not the trade 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 → “When I consider bills or look at regulations, I think about what kind of impact they will have on those Americans, on hard-working people without a lot of extra money in the budget, on people living paycheck to paycheck or,” General reflections on constituents, not the African trade legislation.
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 → “as was the case with some of the farmers I grew up with, harvest to harvest.” Personal anecdote about farmers, not the 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 → “I think about how to ensure that government isn’t standing in their way or taking up all the extra money in their budget.” General philosophy of government, not the AGOA bill’s subject.
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 it was hard-working Americans like the South Dakotans I grew up with who were at the top of my mind when Republicans drafted our landmark tax relief legislation back in 2017.” Discusses 2017 tax legislation, a different subject from 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 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates across the board, doubled the child tax credit,” Describes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, not AGOA.
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 nearly doubled the standard deduction.” Describes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, not AGOA.
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 put more money in hard- working Americans’ pockets, money that they were able to use for their particular needs--from childcare to home repairs, to medical bills, to a family vacation.” Tax cut effects, unrelated to the trade 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 those same hard-working Americans were our focus last year when we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts.” Pivots to the Working Families Tax Cuts, a different subject from AGOA.
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 first aim with the Working Families Tax Cuts was making the 2017 tax relief permanent,” Tax legislation, not 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 → “and that is exactly what we did.” Tax legislation, not 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 made the lower tax rates permanent.” Tax legislation, not 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 made the increased child tax credit permanent.” Tax legislation, not 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 → “And we made the increased standard deduction permanent.” Tax legislation, not 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 → “But that was just the beginning.” Promises more tax content, still off the 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 → “We weren’t content with a permanent extension of the 2017 tax relief.” Tax legislation, not 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 wanted to do more for working families,” Tax legislation, not 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 → “and so that is what we did.” Tax legislation, not 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 → “As I said, our 2017 tax relief bill doubled the child tax credit.” Tax credit detail, unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts not only made that permanent;” Tax credit detail, unrelated to AGOA.
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 increased the child tax credit even further and then indexed it to inflation so its value will never go down.” Tax credit detail, unrelated to AGOA.
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 said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction.” Standard deduction detail, unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts boosted the standard deduction even further.” Standard deduction detail, unrelated to AGOA.
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 we didn’t stop there.” Transitions to more tax content, still off the 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 → “We instituted two big new tax relief measures:” New tax measures, unrelated to the trade 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 → “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime.” Tax measures on tips and overtime, unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “That meant major new tax relief for a whole host of working Americans--waiters, delivery people, bartenders, Uber and Lyft drivers, nurses, factory workers, paramedics, police officers,” Tax relief beneficiaries, unrelated to the 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 many others.” Continues the list of tax beneficiaries, unrelated to AGOA.
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 that still isn’t all.” More tax content, unrelated to the 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 → “We instituted a new $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors,” Senior bonus deduction, unrelated to AGOA.
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 we created new tax-advantaged investment accounts to help parents save for their children’s future, starting with an initial $1,000 investment from the Federal Government for babies born between 2025 and 2028.” Investment accounts provision, unrelated to the trade 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 that is far from the only thing we did to help the next generation get a headstart on their American dream.” Next-generation tax benefits, unrelated to AGOA.
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 Working Families Tax Cuts also made some significant improvements to the traditional 529 education savings plan, allowing those savings to be used for a greater variety of education-related expenses, like tutoring or home school materials and vocational and continuing education.” 529 plan changes, 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 → “On the higher education side, we implemented accountability and reforms and put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees.” Higher education reforms, unrelated to AGOA.
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 also made permanent a policy I authored that allows employers to pay off a portion of their employees’ student loans, without the employee having to pay taxes on the repayment amount.” Student loan tax policy, unrelated to the 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 on top of all that, we created the Workforce Pell Program,” Workforce Pell Program, unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “which will provide financial assistance to Americans in shorter term skills and career training programs, whether they are just starting out or looking to switch careers or develop new skills in their current field.” Workforce training funding, unrelated to the trade 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 → “This tax season, more than 35 million seniors claimed the new bonus deduction for older Americans.” Tax deduction statistics, unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “More than 29 million American workers were able to deduct overtime pay from their taxes, resulting in substantial tax savings.” Overtime deduction statistics, unrelated to the 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 more than 7.5 million workers deducted their tips on their taxes, ensuring they were able to keep more of their hard-earned money.” Tips deduction statistics, unrelated to AGOA.
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 that is not to even mention the countless hard-working Americans who were able to take advantage of the increased standard deduction and the enhanced child tax credit.” Tax benefit take-up, unrelated to the 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 → “Tax refunds were up this season,” Tax refund statistics, unrelated to AGOA.
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 it is no surprise.” Commentary on tax refunds, unrelated to the 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 → “It is the Working Families Tax Cuts at work.” Attributes refunds to tax cuts, unrelated to the trade 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 → “I may live in Sioux Falls now,” Personal residence detail, not the 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 → “which is one of South Dakota’s bigger cities,” Personal background, not the 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 → “but I spent a lot of time in smalltown South Dakota.” Personal background, not the 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 whenever I am there, I am proud to be able to share the details of the Working Families Tax Cuts and report that Republicans are delivering for working families.” Promoting tax cuts to constituents, unrelated to AGOA.
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 we are going to continue to build on the Working Families Tax Cuts to expand opportunity and make life more affordable for hard- working Americans.” Pledge to build on tax cuts, unrelated to the bill 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
4 of 74 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.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “and that is exactly what we did” Asserts complete fulfillment with an emphatic formula rather than pointing to a source.
Hidden agency Wording that hides who did something, or who will. What the tags mean → “put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees” A claimed effect with no measure or actor showing how the pressure was exerted or verified.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “It is the Working Families Tax Cuts at work” Asserts the legislation as the cause of higher refunds with no source or evidence offered.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “we are going to continue to build on the Working Families Tax Cuts” A forward commitment with no specific action, date, measure, or success condition.
Claims · 14
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 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates across the board, doubled the child tax credit,” The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates and doubled the child tax credit. search 2 “nearly doubled the standard deduction” The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction. search 3 “making the 2017 tax relief permanent” The Working Families Tax Cuts legislation passed last year made the 2017 tax cuts permanent. search 4 “it increased the child tax credit even further and then indexed it to inflation” The Working Families Tax Cuts increased the child tax credit beyond its 2017 level and indexed it to inflation. search 5 “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime” The Working Families Tax Cuts created deductions eliminating tax on tips and overtime pay. search 6 “a new $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors” The Working Families Tax Cuts instituted a $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors. search 7 “an initial $1,000 investment from the Federal Government for babies born between 2025 and 2028” The Working Families Tax Cuts created tax-advantaged accounts with a $1,000 federal investment for babies born between 2025 and 2028. search 8 “made some significant improvements to the traditional 529 education savings plan, allowing those savings to be used for a greater variety of education-related expenses” The Working Families Tax Cuts expanded the permitted uses of 529 education savings plans to more education-related expenses. search 9 “made permanent a policy I authored that allows employers to pay off a portion of their employees’ student loans, without the employee having to pay taxes on the repayment amount” The Working Families Tax Cuts made permanent a policy allowing employers to pay employees’ student loans tax-free. search 10 “we created the Workforce Pell Program” The Working Families Tax Cuts legislation created the Workforce Pell Program for short-term skills and career training. search 11 “more than 35 million seniors claimed the new bonus deduction for older Americans” More than 35 million seniors claimed the new bonus deduction for older Americans this tax season. search 12 “More than 29 million American workers were able to deduct overtime pay from their taxes” More than 29 million American workers deducted overtime pay on their taxes this season. search 13 “more than 7.5 million workers deducted their tips on their taxes” More than 7.5 million workers deducted tips on their taxes this season. search 14 “Tax refunds were up this season,” Tax refunds were higher this tax season than the prior season. search
