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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity is 78. The grade is held to 68, 30 above Relevance. 68 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
86 / 100
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Relevance
38 / 100
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Reasoning
90 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
99 / 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.
Procedure 4% Claims 65% Positioning 8% Reasoning 11% The ask 11% Promise 2%
Structure · 23 steps
Claims · 6
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 9 words I yield myself such time as I may consume. Procedure Mr. Speaker, Claims · 103 words the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded to brave individuals whose extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice exceed the call of duty. In 2021, Congress authorized the placement of a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C., to honor all of the Medal of Honor recipients from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, 1 and Coast Guard. As a next step, this bill we are considering will ensure the memorial is located next to the Lincoln Memorial in the shadow of a President who created the Medal of Honor during the first year of the Civil War.2 Procedure · 9 words It is a privilege to speak on this bill. Procedure Positioning · 13 words Medal of Honor recipients deserve recognition in the heart of our Nation’s Capital. Positioning Claims · 105 words I do note, however, that this is not the first time legislation for this memorial has been considered by the House this Congress. We voted on the House companion from Mr. Moore of Utah back in January 2025.3 It was one of the first Natural Resources Committee bills to pass this Chamber in the Congress. Unfortunately, instead of passing the House bill that we already sent over, the Senate is forcing us into a do-over. This is becoming an unsightly trend this Congress. The House Natural Resources Committee alone has sent 88 bipartisan bills over to the Senate that are still waiting for a vote.4 Logical leap Reasoning · 17 words No wonder this has been such an unproductive Congress and one of the least productive on record. Off point Mr. Speaker, The ask · 38 words I encourage Republican leadership in both Houses of Congress to start working together and talking to each other to better coordinate so that we are not forced to vote on all of these noncontroversial bills over and over. Claims · 12 words There is simply not time left on the calendar to continue this. Off point The ask · 21 words Moving back to the bill that we are considering, I encourage my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation again. Positioning · 25 words This is an excellent example of the amazing work that we can do when we reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan way. Positioning Claims · 190 words But it is worth noting that this bill is also an example of how monuments in Washington, D.C., should happen and how they can be lawfully established through a transparent and explicit act of Congress. The Commemorative Works Act is the law, and it is very clear. Monuments and memorials in the area of Washington, D.C., may be built ``only as specifically authorized by law.’’5 If that weren’t enough, Congress enacted a similar law prohibiting any building or structure being built on Federal public grounds in D.C. without express authority of Congress.6 It is an insult to the American people that this administration is ignoring the law, that they are barreling ahead with an enormous arc de Trump in flagrant violation of these laws, an arch that would tower over the Lincoln Memorial and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery where we honor the very heroes that we have just been talking about here today. Our constituents can’t afford groceries right now due to Trump’s trade wars. They can’t afford gas due to his war of choice in Iran or electricity bills due to his war on clean energy. Reasoning · 25 words The last thing we need is another golden monument commemorating President Trump in the Capital, let alone one that circumvents Congress and flouts the law. Off point Mr. Speaker, The ask · 10 words my Republican colleagues should stand up to this administration’s lawlessness. Off point Positioning · 8 words In the meantime, this is a good bill. Positioning Reasoning · 25 words This is how you are supposed to do monuments in compliance with the law. You bring it to Congress. You pass it through the process. Promise · 11 words Soon this bill will become law, Unearned certainty and this monument will happen. Positioning · 7 words That is the way it should work. Positioning Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 7 words I reserve the balance of my time. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×17 Positioning ×4 Procedure ×3 Logical leap Unearned certainty
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 86
7 of 26 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.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I yield myself such time as I may consume.” 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 → “It is a privilege to speak on this bill.” 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 → “Medal of Honor recipients deserve recognition in the heart of our Nation’s Capital.” 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 → “This is an excellent example of the amazing work that we can do when we reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan way.” 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 → “In the meantime, this is a good bill.” 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 → “That is the way it should work.” 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 reserve the balance of my time.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 38
17 of 26 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 → “Unfortunately, instead of passing the House bill that we already sent over, the Senate is forcing us into a do-over.” Complains about the Senate forcing a repeat vote rather than addressing the bill’s content.
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 is becoming an unsightly trend this Congress.” Makes a general complaint about congressional trends instead of 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 → “The House Natural Resources Committee alone has sent 88 bipartisan bills over to the Senate that are still waiting for a vote.” Cites pending Senate bills as a political point unrelated to this monument 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 → “No wonder this has been such an unproductive Congress and one of the least productive on record.” Broad criticism of Congress’s productivity rather than anything about 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 encourage Republican leadership in both Houses of Congress to start working together and talking to each other to better coordinate so that we are not forced to vote on all of these noncontroversial bills over and over.” Urges cross-chamber coordination as a political point in place of discussing 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 → “There is simply not time left on the calendar to continue this.” Commentary on the legislative calendar, not the monument 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 is an excellent example of the amazing work that we can do when we reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan way.” Uses the bill as an example for a broader point about bipartisanship rather than addressing the bill itself.
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 it is worth noting that this bill is also an example of how monuments in Washington, D.C., should happen and how they can be lawfully established through a transparent and explicit act of Congress.” Pivots to how monuments generally should be established, using the bill to set up a criticism of the administration.
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 Commemorative Works Act is the law,” Discusses the Commemorative Works Act, a different subject from the bill’s monument location.
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 very clear.” Continues the aside about commemorative works law.
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 → “Monuments and memorials in the area of Washington, D.C., may be built ``only as specifically authorized by law.’’” Quotes the Commemorative Works Act rather than addressing the monument 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 → “If that weren’t enough, Congress enacted a similar law prohibiting any building or structure being built on Federal public grounds in D.C. without express authority of Congress.” Discusses separate federal-grounds 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 → “It is an insult to the American people that this administration is ignoring the law, that they are barreling ahead with an enormous arc de Trump in flagrant violation of these laws, an arch that would tower over the Lincoln Memorial and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery where we honor the very heroes that we have just been talking about here today.” Attacks the administration over a different proposed arch, not this 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 → “Our constituents can’t afford groceries right now due to Trump’s trade wars.” Political point about grocery prices 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 → “They can’t afford gas due to his war of choice in Iran or electricity bills due to his war on clean energy.” Political point about gas and electricity prices 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 → “The last thing we need is another golden monument commemorating President Trump in the Capital, let alone one that circumvents Congress and flouts the law.” Political attack over a different monument, not the bill’s location provision.
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 → “my Republican colleagues should stand up to this administration’s lawlessness.” Urges Republicans to oppose the administration, a political point rather than discussion of the bill.
Reasoning · 90
1 of 26 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.
Logical leap A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it. What the tags mean → “The House Natural Resources Committee alone has sent 88 bipartisan bills over to the Senate that are still waiting for a vote.” A count of bills waiting on one chamber is used to carry the sweeping verdict of one of the least productive Congresses on record.
Conclusions found · 5
Conclusion “Medal of Honor recipients deserve recognition in the heart of our Nation’s Capital.”
Because “the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded to brave individuals whose extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service,”
“and sacrifice exceed the call of duty.”
Conclusion “No wonder this has been such an unproductive Congress and one of the least productive on record.”
Because “Unfortunately, instead of passing the House bill that we already sent over, the Senate is forcing us into a do-over.”
“This is becoming an unsightly trend this Congress.”
“The House Natural Resources Committee alone has sent 88 bipartisan bills over to the Senate that are still waiting for a vote.”
Reason flawed A count of bills waiting on one chamber is used to carry the sweeping verdict of one of the least productive Congresses on record.
Conclusion “I encourage Republican leadership in both Houses of Congress to start working together and talking to each other to better coordinate so that we are not forced to vote on all of these noncontroversial bills over and over.”
Because “We voted on the House companion from Mr. Moore of Utah back in January 2025.”
“Unfortunately, instead of passing the House bill that we already sent over, the Senate is forcing us into a do-over.”
“There is simply not time left on the calendar to continue this.”
Conclusion “Moving back to the bill that we are considering, I encourage my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation again.”
Because “As a next step, this bill we are considering will ensure the memorial is located next to the Lincoln Memorial in the shadow of a President who created the Medal of Honor during the first year of the Civil War.”
“Medal of Honor recipients deserve recognition in the heart of our Nation’s Capital.”
“This is an excellent example of the amazing work that we can do when we reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan way.”
Conclusion “my Republican colleagues should stand up to this administration’s lawlessness.”
Because “Monuments and memorials in the area of Washington, D.C., may be built ``only as specifically authorized by law.’’”
“If that weren’t enough, Congress enacted a similar law prohibiting any building or structure being built on Federal public grounds in D.C. without express authority of Congress.”
“It is an insult to the American people that this administration is ignoring the law, that they are barreling ahead with an enormous arc de Trump in flagrant violation of these laws, an arch that would tower over the Lincoln Memorial and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery where we honor the very heroes that we have just been talking about here today.”
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 · 99
1 of 26 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 → “Soon this bill will become law” It asserts a future outcome as settled fact while the bill’s passage is not yet determined.
Claims · 6
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 “In 2021, Congress authorized the placement of a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C.” Congress authorized a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. in 2021. search 2 “a President who created the Medal of Honor during the first year of the Civil War” President Lincoln established the Medal of Honor during the first year of the Civil War. search 3 “We voted on the House companion from Mr. Moore of Utah back in January 2025.” The House voted on the Moore of Utah companion bill for the Medal of Honor monument in January 2025. search 4 “The House Natural Resources Committee alone has sent 88 bipartisan bills over to the Senate that are still waiting for a vote.” The House Natural Resources Committee has sent 88 bipartisan bills to the Senate in this Congress that have not yet received a Senate vote. search 5 “Monuments and memorials in the area of Washington, D.C., may be built ``only as specifically authorized by law.’’” The Commemorative Works Act provides that monuments and memorials in the Washington, D.C. area may be built only as specifically authorized by law. search 6 “Congress enacted a similar law prohibiting any building or structure being built on Federal public grounds in D.C. without express authority of Congress.” A federal law prohibits any building or structure from being built on federal public grounds in Washington, D.C. without express congressional authority. search
