Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Bruce Westerman

Republican on Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (Waters) Act 2026-09-14

154 words · 11 sentences · 13 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 89 / 100

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

Procedure 11%Positioning 10%Claims 68%Aside 10%

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 Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 12 wordsI rise in support of H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act.Positioning Claims · 28 wordsThe Chesapeake Bay is one of the most important resources in the mid- Atlantic region, including for the commercial seafood sector and the recreational boating and fishing community. Aside · 16 wordsI know that my colleague from Maryland (Ms. Elfreth) feels even more so about that statement.AsideOff point Claims · 77 wordsThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office is an important partner for the Chesapeake Bay region by contributing scientific research, protecting habitat, and advancing oyster restoration. H.R.¹ 6893 reauthorizes this office and several of its training and workforce programs. It also requires the office to submit a report to the Secretary of Commerce and Congress on its progress in conserving the Chesapeake Bay and the ways NOAA can work with other Chesapeake Bay Program partners.² Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 4 wordsI support this legislation, PositioningProcedure · 8 wordsand I reserve the balance of my time.ProcedureOff point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 67

7 of 11 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 “I rise in support of H.R.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I know that my colleague from Maryland (Ms.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Elfreth) feels even more so about that statement.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I support this legislation,”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 “and I reserve the balance of my time.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

4 of 11 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 remark about yielding time.
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 know that my colleague from Maryland (Ms.”Reference to a colleague, not 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 “Elfreth) feels even more so about that statement.”Aside about a colleague’s views, not 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 “and I reserve the balance of my time.”Procedural remark about reserving time.

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 11 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“H.R.”H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act, reauthorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and several of its training and workforce programs.search
2“requires the office to submit a report to the Secretary of Commerce and Congress on its progress in conserving the Chesapeake Bay”The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act requires NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office to submit a report to the Secretary of Commerce and Congress on its progress in conserving the Chesapeake Bay.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-16