Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Republican on Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act 2026-07-13

278 words · 14 sentences · 17 clauses

Statement grade

Average 91 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Thanks 11%Procedure 6%Claims 47%Positioning 2%Reasoning 21%The ask 12%

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

Madam Speaker, Thanks · 6 wordsI thank the chairman for yielding.Thanks Madam Speaker, Procedure · 18 wordsI rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act.Procedure Madam Speaker, Claims · 107 wordsthis legislation is built on a simple principle: American elections should be decided by the American people, not by the influence of foreign actors. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes a dangerous and longstanding loophole in our current election system. While current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office, there remains gaps when it comes to State and local ballot measures.¹ Ballot initiatives, referendum, and recall elections often determine major public policy questions that directly affect American communities, yet existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes.² This bill closes that loophole. Madam Speaker, Positioning · 6 wordsthis is not a partisan issue.Positioning Reasoning · 59 wordsWhether the issue on the ballot is one you support or oppose, every American should agree that the outcome should reflect the will of the American voters, not the financial influence of foreign interests. Our elections and ballot measures exist to give the American people a voice, not outside actors with agendas that may conflict with our national interests. Claims · 25 wordsThe Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act simply extends an existing safeguard to ensure that all taxpayer-funded elections receive the same protection from foreign influence. Thanks · 25 wordsI thank Congressman Golden for his partnership on this legislation as well as Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Morelle for their engagement on this legislation.Thanks The ask · 32 wordsI urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our democratic process remains accountable to the citizens that it serves.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 79

5 of 5 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I thank the chairman for yielding.”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 rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R.”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 “3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “this is not a partisan issue.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I thank Congressman Golden for his partnership on this legislation as well as Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Morelle for their engagement on this legislation.”Thanks: 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 · 93

0 of 5 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 · 2

Conclusion“This bill closes that loophole.”

Because“While current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office, there remains gaps when it comes to State and local ballot measures.”

“yet existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes.”

Reason given
Conclusion“I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our democratic process remains accountable to the citizens that it serves.”

Because“this is not a partisan issue.”

“Whether the issue on the ballot is one you support or oppose, every American should agree that the outcome should reflect the will of the American voters, not the financial influence of foreign interests.”

“The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act simply extends an existing safeguard to ensure that all taxpayer-funded elections receive the same protection from foreign influence.”

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 · 100

0 of 5 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office”Current federal law prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions to candidates running for office in U.S. elections.search
2“existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes”Existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence U.S. state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, or recall elections.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15