← Back to the statement
Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity is 65. The grade is held to 30, 30 above Relevance. Reasoning rests on one conclusion, too few to hold the grade down. 30 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
89 / 100
View details Viewing ↓
Relevance
0 / 100
View details Viewing ↓
Reasoning
70 / 100
View details Viewing ↓
Respect
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Clarity
100 / 100
View details Viewing ↓
A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Claims 89% Procedure 11%
Structure · 3 steps
Claims · 2
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Claims · 88 words So the gentleman is saying that a Secretary who backed away from changes to disability ratings in terms of medication--the intent was to say that if veterans take medication or get some sort of treatment, that if their conditions improve, that their disability ratings could then be lowered. He backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.1 Logical leap You are telling me that this very same Secretary is telling you that he is moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings?2 Off point Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 11 words I yield to the gentleman for the purposes of a colloquy. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×3 Logical leap Procedure Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 89
1 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.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I yield to the gentleman for the purposes of a colloquy.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
3 of 5 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 → “So the gentleman is saying that a Secretary who backed away from changes to disability ratings in terms of medication--the intent was to say that if veterans take medication or get some sort of treatment, that if their conditions improve, that their disability ratings could then be lowered.” Discusses a Secretary’s past actions on disability ratings rather than the bill’s provisions.
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 backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.” Continues the discussion of the Secretary’s retreat amid protest, not 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 → “You are telling me that this very same Secretary is telling you that he is moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings?” Challenges the Secretary’s alleged $57 billion cut, a point about executive action outside the bill.
Reasoning · 70
1 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.
Logical leap A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it. What the tags mean → “He backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.” Backing away from one proposed change is treated as establishing that the Secretary is now pushing a new $57 billion cut, without evidence in the statement.
Conclusions found · 1
Conclusion “You are telling me that this very same Secretary is telling you that he is moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings?”
Because “So the gentleman is saying that a Secretary who backed away from changes to disability ratings in terms of medication--the intent was to say that if veterans take medication or get some sort of treatment, that if their conditions improve, that their disability ratings could then be lowered.”
“He backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.”
Reason flawed Backing away from one proposed change is treated as establishing that the Secretary is now pushing a new $57 billion cut, without evidence in the statement.
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 “He backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.” The VA Secretary withdrew the proposed policy of lowering disability ratings when veterans’ conditions improve with treatment, following protest from veterans and veterans organizations. search 2 “moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings” The VA Secretary is moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings (disability compensation). search
