Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Christopher A. Coons

Democrat on Recognizing the 1960 University of Missouri Tigers Football Team 2026-08-06

422 words · 15 sentences · 24 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 3%Anecdote 10%Procedure 8%Claims 46%Thanks 15%Promise 18%

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

Mr. President, Greeting · 13 wordsI thank my colleague and friend from the truly great State of Alaska.Greeting Anecdote · 41 wordsOur mutual friend Dan Tate, long known here as an active lobbyist, who is living with ALS, has been texting the two of us about the impact that this research has had on him and his condition and on many others.Anecdote Procedure · 5 wordsHe most recently texted me: ProcedureClaims · 96 wordsThe ACT for ALS bill that we helped get passed 5 years ago and that we are now reauthorizing--I will remind you that initially, advocates were seeking $10 million.¹ Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014?² They were seeking $10 million in Federal medical research. This year, it was $115 million.³ In total over the years since we have passed this legislation through this Chamber, $391 million has been invested.⁴ There are today 1,200 people living with ALS enrolled in a landmark genetic study, ⁵and there have been significant steps forward in experimental treatments. Procedure · 10 wordsDr. Sabrina Paganoni of Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute said: ProcedureClaims · 29 wordsWe are at a turning point because we have a greater awareness of ALS, more funding for research than ever before, and more treatments in development than ever before. Procedure · 15 wordsWhen Lou Gehrig gave a speech announcing his retirement from baseball, he concluded by saying: ProcedureClaims · 32 wordsI am the luckiest guy in the world.⁶ Many saw that as a bitter irony because he left an outstanding career in baseball to struggle and suffer through an ultimately terminal disease. Thanks · 63 wordsBut I have to say that I am the luckiest man in the world to have the blessing of the great, enduring friendship of a colleague and partner from Alaska; of the steady and reliable and motivating input of so many advocates and cared-for people living with this dread disease; and the lifelong partnership and friendship of an amazing man, Dr. Jack Flynn.Thanks Promise · 76 wordsIn a determined effort to deliver hope and change, Senator Murkowski and I and all of us in this ALS Caucus are determined to get this bill to the President’s desk, signed into law, and to deliver another generation of medical research to get us closer to that day when no one--no one--has to face the diagnosis or live with ALS and it will be a chapter in our history, not a threat for our future.Vague promise Claims · 38 wordsBut for today in this body, I am grateful for a chance to celebrate a significant step forward, a unanimous action by this Chamber, ⁷and the delivery of hope to so many around our Nation and our world. 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 · 59

9 of 10 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 thank my colleague and friend from the truly great State of Alaska.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Our mutual friend Dan Tate, long known here as an active lobbyist, who is living with ALS, has been texting the two of us about the impact that this research has had on him and his condition and on many others.”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 “He most recently texted me:”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 “Dr. Sabrina Paganoni of Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute said:”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 “When Lou Gehrig gave a speech announcing his retirement from baseball, he concluded by saying:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “But I have to say that I am the luckiest man in the world to have the blessing of the great, enduring friendship of a colleague and partner from Alaska;”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “of the steady and reliable and motivating input of so many advocates and cared-for people living with this dread disease;”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and the lifelong partnership and friendship of an amazing man, Dr. Jack Flynn.”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 “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 · 87

0 of 10 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 · 1

Conclusion“In a determined effort to deliver hope and change, Senator Murkowski and I and all of us in this ALS Caucus are determined to get this bill to the President’s desk, signed into law,”

Because“In total over the years since we have passed this legislation through this Chamber, $391 million has been invested.”

“There are today 1,200 people living with ALS enrolled in a landmark genetic study,”

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 · 82

1 of 10 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 “deliver another generation of medical research to get us closer to that day”The commitment names no date, measure, or condition for what ‘another generation’ of research or ‘closer’ means.

Claims · 7

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 ACT for ALS bill that we helped get passed 5 years ago”The ACT for ALS bill was passed approximately 5 years before this 2026 speech, i.e. around 2021.search
2“the Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014”The Ice Bucket Challenge took place in 2014.search
3“This year, it was $115 million.”In 2026, federal ALS medical research funding was $115 million.search
4“$391 million has been invested”A total of $391 million has been invested in ALS research since passage of the ACT for ALS legislation.search
5“1,200 people living with ALS enrolled in a landmark genetic study”As of 2026, 1,200 people living with ALS are enrolled in a landmark genetic study.search
6“I am the luckiest guy in the world.”Lou Gehrig concluded his 1939 retirement speech by saying he was ‘the luckiest guy in the world’.search
7“a unanimous action by this Chamber”The Senate took unanimous action on the ALS bill being reauthorized.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-16