Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Bruce Westerman

Republican on Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026 2026-09-14

222 words · 13 sentences · 17 clauses

Statement grade

B+

Average 81 / 100

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

Procedure 15%Claims 58%Anecdote 21%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, Procedure · 17 wordsI rise in support of H.R. 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025.¹Procedure Claims · 129 wordsBirds are an important part of our Nation’s natural heritage and play an important role in healthy and resilient ecosystems. Millions of Americans also enjoy bird-watching each year, supporting local economies and businesses across the country. Unfortunately, birds face several challenges in urban areas, including habitat loss and hazards such as building collisions and light pollution. H.R. 3276 addresses these challenges by codifying the Urban Bird Treaty Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.² The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently provides grants and technical assistance to communities and other eligible partners to conserve, restore, and enhance urban bird habitat, reduce hazards to birds, and engage the public in monitoring and conservation efforts. This legislation will enable this important work to continue with greater congressional oversight and accountability.Vague promise Mr. Speaker, Anecdote · 47 wordsI just recently had the opportunity to visit Audubon, Arkansas, ³and see the great work that they are doing with bird habitat and also to discuss again how healthy forests not only provide us with clean air and clean water, but they also provide excellent bird habitat.Anecdote The ask · 13 wordsIt is another reason the Senate should pass the Fix Our Forests Act.Off point 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 · 63

7 of 9 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 “I rise in support of 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 “3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I just recently had the opportunity to visit Audubon, Arkansas,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and see the great work that they are doing with bird habitat and also to discuss again how healthy forests not only provide us with clean air and clean water,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “but they also provide excellent bird habitat.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not 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 · 90

1 of 9 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 “It is another reason the Senate should pass the Fix Our Forests Act.”Calls for Senate passage of the Fix Our Forests Act, a different bill than the one under debate.

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 · 89

1 of 9 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “will enable this important work to continue with greater congressional oversight and accountability”The commitment names no measure, date, or success condition for the oversight it claims to add.

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“3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025.”The bill under debate is H.R. 3276, titled the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025.search
2“codifying the Urban Bird Treaty Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service”H.R. 3276 codifies the Urban Bird Treaty Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.search
3“I just recently had the opportunity to visit Audubon, Arkansas”Bruce Westerman recently visited Audubon, Arkansas.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-16