Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Eric Burlison

Republican on Value over Cost Act of 2026 2026-07-20

216 words · 12 sentences · 15 clauses

Statement grade

Average 94 / 100

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

Procedure 7%Claims 81%Thanks 6%The ask 6%

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 · 174 wordsI support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration’s governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program.¹ GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government’s most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services.² Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative’’ when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule.³ This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government. This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative.⁴ This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies.⁵ This bill will maximize the Federal Government’s ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology. Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 14 wordsI thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, ThanksThe ask · 12 wordsand I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill. Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 7 wordsI reserve the balance of my time.Procedure

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 85

3 of 3 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.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue,”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 reserve the balance of my time.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 3 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 · 93

0 of 3 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 will maximize the Federal Government’s ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology.”

Because“Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative’’ when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule.”

“This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government.”

“This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies.”

Reason given
Conclusion“and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill.”

Because“This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative.”

“This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies.”

“This bill will maximize the Federal Government’s ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology.”

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 3 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 · 5

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“which modernizes the General Services Administration’s governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program”H.R. 1118, the Value Over Cost Act, would modify the GSA’s governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program.search
2“the Federal Government’s most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services”GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule program is the federal government’s most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services.search
3“GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative’’”GSA is currently required to evaluate the lowest overall cost alternative when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule.search
4“This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative”The Value Over Cost Act would allow GSA to award Multiple Award Schedule contracts on a best value basis rather than the lowest overall cost alternative.search
5“a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act”A fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act made a comparable change allowing best value rather than lowest overall cost evaluation for defense agencies.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15