Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Mike Bost

Republican on Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic 2026-07-15

498 words · 31 sentences · 40 clauses

Statement grade

A+

Average 95 / 100

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 76%Positioning 3%Reasoning 4%Aside 11%The ask 2%

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.Procedure Mr. Speaker, Claims · 90 wordsI rise today in support of H.R. 4288, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, ¹as the ``Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic,’’ sponsored by Representative Panetta.² Pat Tillman was born and raised in San Jose, California.³ He first made his name on the football field at Leland High School, helping lead his team to a Central Coast Division I championship.⁴ He carried that same drive and determination to Arizona State University, where he excelled both as a student and as an athlete. Mr. Speaker, Claims · 106 wordsafter being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998, by 2000, Pat had become the team’s star safety.⁵⁶ He had achieved what so many young athletes dreamed of. He was playing in the NFL. He had a successful career ahead of him and could have made millions of dollars by continuing to play professional football. Yet, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Pat Tillman made a different choice.⁷ When his country needed him, Pat answered the call. He put the needs of his country above his own dreams, above his own career, and above the life of comfort and success that he already earned. Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 8 wordsthat is the definition of an American hero.Positioning Claims · 16 wordsWhen terrorists struck the Twin Towers, Pat, like so many other Americans, ran toward the fight. Procedure · 3 wordsPat once said: ProcedureClaims · 51 words``A lot of my family has . . . gone and fought in wars.⁸ And I really haven’t done a damned thing as far as laying myself on the line like that, and so I have a great deal of respect for those that have and what the flag stands for.’’ Positioning · 5 wordsThose were not empty words.Positioning Claims · 80 wordsIn 2002, Pat enlisted in the United States Army.⁹ He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment.¹⁰ During his second deployment--I will say that again--his second deployment, while serving in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Pat’s unit came under attack.¹¹ Pat died in action while providing cover for his fellow soldiers.¹² Because of his courage, his fellow soldiers were able to escape danger. For his bravery and sacrifice, Pat was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.¹³ Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 1 wordsH.R.Procedure Claims · 35 words4288 is a fitting tribute to Pat Tillman, a son of San Jose, a professional athlete, an Army Ranger, and an American hero who gave up fame and fortune to serve the country he loved. Reasoning · 22 wordsBy naming the VA clinic after him, we would ensure that his story of courage, service, and sacrifice will continue for decades. Aside · 56 wordsThose of us who can remember Pat Tillman and remember what an amazing thing he did, to leave a career as a professional football player to serve this Nation and the flag that hangs behind you, Mr. Speaker, is something that those of us who are big football fans and a big Pat Tillman fan understand.Aside Mr. Speaker, The ask · 8 wordsI urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4288, Procedure · 8 wordsand I reserve the balance of my time.Procedure

At a glance

Lost points for
Reasons givenThis statement drew 4 conclusions and gave a reason for each one.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 80

7 of 7 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.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “that is the definition of an American hero.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Pat once said:”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 “Those were not empty words.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “H.R.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Those of us who can remember Pat Tillman and remember what an amazing thing he did, to leave a career as a professional football player to serve this Nation and the flag that hangs behind you, Mr. Speaker, is something that those of us who are big football fans and a big Pat Tillman fan understand.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “and I reserve the balance of my time.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 7 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.

Nothing lost points.

Reasoning · 100

0 of 7 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 · 4

Conclusion“that is the definition of an American hero.”

Because“Yet, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Pat Tillman made a different choice.”

“He put the needs of his country above his own dreams, above his own career,”

“and above the life of comfort and success that he already earned.”

Reason given
Conclusion“H.R.”

Because“In 2002, Pat enlisted in the United States Army.”

“He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment.”

“Pat died in action while providing cover for his fellow soldiers.”

“For his bravery and sacrifice, Pat was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.”

“4288 is a fitting tribute to Pat Tillman, a son of San Jose, a professional athlete, an Army Ranger,”

Reason given
Conclusion“By naming the VA clinic after him, we would ensure that his story of courage, service,”

Because“and sacrifice will continue for decades.”

Reason given
Conclusion“I urge my colleagues to support H.R.”

Because“4288 is a fitting tribute to Pat Tillman, a son of San Jose, a professional athlete, an Army Ranger,”

“and an American hero who gave up fame and fortune to serve the country he loved.”

“By naming the VA clinic after him, we would ensure that his story of courage, service,”

“and sacrifice will continue for decades.”

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 7 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 · 13

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“to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California”H.R. 4288 names the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California.search
2“sponsored by Representative Panetta”H.R. 4288 was sponsored by Representative Panetta.search
3“Pat Tillman was born and raised in San Jose, California.”Pat Tillman was born and raised in San Jose, California.search
4“helping lead his team to a Central Coast Division I championship”Pat Tillman helped lead Leland High School’s football team to a Central Coast Division I championship.search
5“after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998”Pat Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998.search
6“by 2000, Pat had become the team’s star safety”By 2000, Pat Tillman was playing safety for the Arizona Cardinals.search
7“the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001”The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred before Pat Tillman’s decision to enlist.search
8“A lot of my family has . . . gone and fought in wars.”Pat Tillman said that a lot of his family had gone and fought in wars.search
9“In 2002, Pat enlisted in the United States Army.”Pat Tillman enlisted in the United States Army in 2002.search
10“He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment.”Pat Tillman served with the 75th Ranger Regiment.search
11“while serving in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Pat’s unit came under attack”Pat Tillman’s unit came under attack while he was serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.search
12“Pat died in action while providing cover for his fellow soldiers.”Pat Tillman died in action in Afghanistan while providing cover for fellow soldiers.search
13“posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star”Pat Tillman was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15