Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

James P. McGovern

Democrat on Providing for Consideration of (H.R. 139) Sunshine Protection Act of 2025; Providing for Consideration of (H.R. 8595) National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act... 2026-07-14

274 words · 11 sentences · 14 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 85 / 100

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

Procedure 14%Claims 86%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 9 wordsI yield myself such time as I may consume.ProcedureOff point Claims · 103 wordsI am glad the gentlewoman decided to go down this pathway because it is not only the Veterans of Foreign Wars that oppose this, but the Disabled American Veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance, the Black Veterans Project, Reserve Organization of America, Veterans Education Success, Student Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Reserve Association, Minority Veterans of America, Common Defense, Vet Voice Foundation, National Security Leaders for America, Swords to Plowshares, The Chamberlain Network, Unite for Veterans Coalition, Veterans for Common Sense, Veterans for Responsible Leadership.¹ I could go on and on and on.Off pointUnearned certainty Procedure · 13 wordsThe gentlewoman began by mentioning The American Legion. She may not know this, ProcedureOff pointClaims · 91 wordsbut as we speak, The American Legion in Texas, representing one of the largest memberships of The American Legion, has come out against this bill and is urging The American Legion nationally to now follow its lead and come out against this bill.² The bottom line is, the more veterans’ organizations know that they are getting screwed, the more and more they are coming out against this bill.Unearned certainty They are in favor of the Major Richard Star bill, which would provide and expand veterans’ benefits without taking away other veterans’ benefits.³ Procedure · 4 wordsIt is that simple.ProcedureOff point Claims · 43 wordsThis is a bad bill and, quite frankly, the more people realize what is in this bill, the more they realize the cuts in this bill that will adversely affect the veterans’ community, the more and more people will come out against this. Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 11 wordsI yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman).ProcedureOff point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 85

6 of 16 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.

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.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “The gentlewoman began by mentioning The American Legion.”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 “She may not know this,”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 “It is that simple.”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 “I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.”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 “Landsman).”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 86

8 of 16 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.

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 yield myself such time as I may consume.”Procedural yield, not discussion of the bill.
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 could go on and on and on.”Aside promising more of the same rather than adding to the argument.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She may not know this,”Aside addressed to the other side, adding nothing about the bill.
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 are in favor of the Major Richard Star bill,”Pivots to the Major Richard Star bill, a different measure than the one under debate.
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 would provide and expand veterans’ benefits without taking away other veterans’ benefits.”Continues describing the unrelated Major Richard Star bill.
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 that simple.”Aside wrapping up the unrelated bill discussion.
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 yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.”Procedural yield, not discussion of the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Landsman).”Procedural yield to another member.

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 · 85

2 of 16 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “I could go on and on and on”An assertion of endless further examples offered in place of naming or sourcing them.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “The bottom line is”A formula that asserts a conclusion without offering a source or evidence for the claimed trend.

Claims · 3

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 Disabled American Veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance, the Black Veterans Project, Reserve Organization of America, Veterans Education Success, Student Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Reserve Association, Minority Veterans of America, Common Defense, Vet Voice Foundation, National Security Leaders for America, Swords to Plowshares, The Chamberlain Network, Unite for Veterans Coalition, Veterans for Common Sense, Veterans for Responsible Leadership”The veterans’ organizations listed, including Disabled American Veterans and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, oppose the bill under debate.search
2“The American Legion in Texas, representing one of the largest memberships of The American Legion, has come out against this bill and is urging The American Legion nationally to now follow its lead”The Texas chapter of The American Legion has come out against the bill under debate and is urging the national American Legion to oppose it as well.search
3“would provide and expand veterans’ benefits without taking away other veterans’ benefits”The Major Richard Star bill would expand veterans’ benefits without taking away other veterans’ benefits.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15