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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity is 53. The grade is held to 36, 30 above Relevance. 36 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
53 / 100
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Relevance
6 / 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.
Positioning 43% Procedure 1% Claims 27% Reasoning 21% The ask 8%
Structure · 11 steps
Claims · 11
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 167 words President Trump knows that the only way Republicans can win this midterm election is to lie and cheat. Trump has failed to address the affordability crisis. Now, instead of fighting to lower costs, he is fighting to suppress votes and prevent Americans from holding him and the GOP accountable this November. Over the past year, the American people have watched as Trump has tried to suppress votes in any way he can. He has pushed for the SAVE America Act, helped undermine the Voting Rights Act, 1 and most recently has urged the courts to restrict mail-in voting, even though the President himself votes by mail.2 3 We all know why. Unearned certainty Trump can’t stand the fact that he lost the 2020 election.4 He pushed the big lie, claimed the election was rigged, 5 and without proof, blamed mail-in voting. President Trump can’t stand that he lost in 2020. He can’t stand the thought of losing again, and that is why he is trying to prevent Americans from voting by mail. Positioning Off point Procedure · 4 words Let me be clear. Procedure Claims · 66 words Our elections are free, fair, and accurate. Take it from my home State of Oregon. We have been an entirely vote-by-mail State for nearly 30 years, 6 and our elections have been safe and secure. Oregon consistently has some of the highest levels of voter turnout in the country, 7 and research has shown that voters from both sides of the aisle vote by mail at similar rates.8 Reasoning · 55 words The right to vote should not depend on your State, your marital status, your access to a passport, or whether you can make it to a polling place on election day. Every eligible American deserves a fair and accessible way to make their voices heard. We should be removing barriers to vote, not increasing them. Claims · 61 words That is why I introduced the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act.9 My bill would give every eligible voter in America the right to vote by mail in Federal elections without requiring a specific excuse.10 It would also require States to give voters a chance to fix a simple mistake or discrepancy on their ballot before that vote is rejected.11 Positioning · 11 words This is not about helping any one party or the other. Positioning Reasoning · 17 words It is about making sure every eligible American has a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy. Positioning · 28 words President Trump is trying to take that opportunity away. He is attacking vote-by-mail because he is afraid of the results when voters make their voices heard this November. Positioning The ask · 38 words Congress must reject the attacks on vote-by-mail. Off point I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question and support my Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act so every eligible American can cast their ballot safely, securely, and conveniently. Reasoning · 29 words The answer to Republicans’ fears that they will lose the upcoming election is not to make it harder for people to vote, the answer is to earn their votes. Off point
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×33 Positioning ×16 Unearned certainty Procedure Off topic Only 7% of this speech directly addressed the bill under debate.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 53
17 of 51 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 → “President Trump knows that the only way Republicans can win this midterm election is to lie and cheat.” 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 → “Trump has failed to address the affordability crisis.” 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 → “Now, instead of fighting to lower costs, he is fighting to suppress votes and prevent Americans from holding him and the GOP accountable this November.” 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 → “Over the past year, the American people have watched as Trump has tried to suppress votes in any way he can.” 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 → “He has pushed for the SAVE America Act, helped undermine the Voting Rights Act,” 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 → “and most recently has urged the courts to restrict mail-in voting, even though the President himself votes by mail.” 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 → “We all know why.” 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 → “Trump can’t stand the fact that he lost the 2020 election.” 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 → “He pushed the big lie, claimed the election was rigged,” 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 → “and without proof, blamed mail-in voting.” 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 → “President Trump can’t stand that he lost in 2020.” 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 → “He can’t stand the thought of losing again,” 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 → “and that is why he is trying to prevent Americans from voting by mail.” 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 → “Let me be clear.” 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 → “This is not about helping any one party or the other.” 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 → “President Trump is trying to take that opportunity away.” 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 → “He is attacking vote-by-mail because he is afraid of the results when voters make their voices heard this November.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 6
33 of 51 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 → “President Trump knows that the only way Republicans can win this midterm election is to lie and cheat.” Claims about midterm election tactics are not about the mining or lobster bills under consideration.
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 → “Trump has failed to address the affordability crisis.” The affordability crisis is a different subject from the bills 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 → “Now, instead of fighting to lower costs, he is fighting to suppress votes and prevent Americans from holding him and the GOP accountable this November.” Voter suppression accusations do not address the rule or the bills before the House.
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 → “Over the past year, the American people have watched as Trump has tried to suppress votes in any way he can.” An account of vote-suppression efforts is off the pending measures.
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 → “He has pushed for the SAVE America Act, helped undermine the Voting Rights Act,” Discussion of the SAVE America Act and the Voting Rights Act is unrelated to the bills 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 most recently has urged the courts to restrict mail-in voting, even though the President himself votes by mail.” Mail-in voting court disputes are not what the rule or bills concern.
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 all know why.” A rhetorical aside on motives is not about the pending bills.
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 → “Trump can’t stand the fact that he lost the 2020 election.” The 2020 election result is unrelated to the measures under consideration.
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 → “He pushed the big lie, claimed the election was rigged,” Claims about the big lie do not address the mining or lobster bills.
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 without proof, blamed mail-in voting.” Mail-in voting blame is off the pending measures.
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 → “President Trump can’t stand that he lost in 2020.” Repeats the 2020 election theme, not the bills 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 → “He can’t stand the thought of losing again,” Speculation about losing again is unrelated to the rule or bills.
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 why he is trying to prevent Americans from voting by mail.” Vote-by-mail accusations do not address the pending measures.
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 elections are free, fair,” A defense of election integrity is not about the bills 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 accurate.” Continues the election-accuracy theme, off the pending measures.
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 → “Take it from my home State of Oregon.” Turning to Oregon is a pivot away from the bills before the House.
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 have been an entirely vote-by-mail State for nearly 30 years,” Oregon’s vote-by-mail history is unrelated to the mining or lobster bills.
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 our elections have been safe and secure.” Oregon election security is not what the rule concerns.
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 → “Oregon consistently has some of the highest levels of voter turnout in the country,” Voter turnout statistics are off the pending measures.
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 research has shown that voters from both sides of the aisle vote by mail at similar rates.” Research on vote-by-mail use is unrelated to the bills 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 right to vote should not depend on your State, your marital status, your access to a passport,” Voting access arguments do not address the rule or bills.
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 → “or whether you can make it to a polling place on election day.” Polling place access is a different subject from the pending measures.
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 → “Every eligible American deserves a fair and accessible way to make their voices heard.” A general voting-rights claim is off the bills under consideration.
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 should be removing barriers to vote, not increasing them.” Barriers to voting are not what the rule or bills address.
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 is why I introduced the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act.” Introducing a different voting bill is a pivot from the mining and lobster measures.
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 bill would give every eligible voter in America the right to vote by mail in Federal elections without requiring a specific excuse.” Describes the member’s own bill, not the measures 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 would also require States to give voters a chance to fix a simple mistake or discrepancy on their ballot before that vote is rejected.” Ballot-cure provisions of another bill are unrelated to the pending measures.
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 not about helping any one party or the other.” Partisanship framing of voting is off the bills 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 about making sure every eligible American has a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy.” A general democracy claim does not address the rule or bills.
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 → “President Trump is trying to take that opportunity away.” Accusations about Trump are unrelated to the pending measures.
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 → “He is attacking vote-by-mail because he is afraid of the results when voters make their voices heard this November.” Vote-by-mail attacks are not what the rule concerns.
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 → “Congress must reject the attacks on vote-by-mail.” Calls to reject vote-by-mail attacks do not address the mining or lobster bills.
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 answer to Republicans’ fears that they will lose the upcoming election is not to make it harder for people to vote, the answer is to earn their votes.” Advice on earning votes is unrelated to the measures under consideration.
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 51 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 → “We all know why” Asserts shared knowledge in place of any source for the motive claimed.
Claims · 11
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 “He has pushed for the SAVE America Act” President Trump has pushed for the SAVE Act, voting-related legislation in Congress. search 2 “urged the courts to restrict mail-in voting” President Trump has urged courts to restrict mail-in voting. search 3 “the President himself votes by mail” President Trump votes by mail. search 4 “he lost the 2020 election” Donald Trump lost the 2020 US presidential election. search 5 “claimed the election was rigged” Trump claimed the 2020 election was rigged. search 6 “We have been an entirely vote-by-mail State for nearly 30 years” Oregon has been an entirely vote-by-mail state for nearly 30 years. search 7 “Oregon consistently has some of the highest levels of voter turnout in the country” Oregon consistently ranks among the states with the highest voter turnout. search 8 “research has shown that voters from both sides of the aisle vote by mail at similar rates” Research shows that Democratic and Republican voters use vote-by-mail at similar rates. search 9 “I introduced the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act” Andrea Salinas introduced the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act in Congress. search 10 “My bill would give every eligible voter in America the right to vote by mail in Federal elections without requiring a specific excuse” Salinas’s Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act would give every eligible voter the right to vote by mail in federal elections without an excuse requirement. search 11 “require States to give voters a chance to fix a simple mistake or discrepancy on their ballot before that vote is rejected” The Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act would require states to let voters cure simple errors on their ballots before rejection. search
