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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity. Reasoning rests on 2 conclusions, too few to hold the grade down. Average 79 / 100
Signal
52 / 100
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Relevance
72 / 100
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Reasoning
93 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
100 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Positioning 36% Claims 51% Anecdote 5% Procedure 6% The ask 4%
Structure · 15 steps
Claims · 6
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 23 words as chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, I rise on behalf of every member of that delegation to strongly oppose this resolution. Positioning Claims · 11 words We have got very few legislative days left in this Congress, Positioning · 30 words and the Republican majority has decided to use time on the floor today not to lower costs that are crushing Americans but to once again pick a fight with California. Positioning Partly on point Claims · 32 words Now, California has the fourth largest economy in the world.1 We are also a donor State that pays more in Federal taxes than we get back by about $806 billion a year.2 Off point Positioning · 52 words But rather than thank us, House Republicans are instead trying to undermine our ability to govern ourselves and protect the health of Americans. Partly on point Now, what is the point of this resolution? How is encouraging ships to burn more expensive diesel going to help the families across America struggling with Trump’s affordability crisis? Positioning Claims · 15 words The war of choice in Iran that the President initiated has caused prices to spike.3 Anecdote · 18 words The other day, I was driving by a gas station and saw diesel fuel at $8.99 a gallon. Anecdote Off point Claims · 13 words It is easier and cheaper for ships to plug in at the dock, Positioning · 16 words and the only people who will benefit from this resolution are the oil and gas companies. Positioning Procedure · 17 words Finally, there is the question of the legality of repealing these waivers under the Congressional Review Act. Procedure Claims · 127 words The administration resubmitted these waivers in order to designate them as rules to trigger the CRA. Now, the State of California sued, 4 and a Federal court has ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders that it submitted to Congress because EPA violated the law in labeling them as rules and submitting them to Congress for action under the CRA.5 In fact, just this last Saturday, September 12, the court ordered EPA to undo its illegal actions specifically with respect to these two maritime waivers after the judge learned they were about to come up for a vote.6 Republicans are ignoring the brand new direct order of the Federal court by continuing on with the CRAs. Procedure · 5 words I will end with this. Procedure Positioning · 19 words California’s economy, the fourth biggest in the world, has done pretty well without D.C. Republicans meddling in its business. Positioning Off point The ask · 14 words I think Congress should reject this illegal overreach and vote ``no’’ on the resolution.
At a glance
Lost points for Positioning ×8 Off point ×6 Partly on point ×2 Procedure ×2 Anecdote
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 52
11 of 19 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.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “as chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, I rise on behalf of every member of that delegation to strongly oppose this resolution.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and the Republican majority has decided to use time on the floor today not to lower costs that are crushing Americans but to once again pick a fight with California.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “But rather than thank us, House Republicans are instead trying to undermine our ability to govern ourselves and protect the health of Americans.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Now, what is the point of this resolution?” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “How is encouraging ships to burn more expensive diesel going to help the families across America struggling with Trump’s affordability crisis?” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “The other day, I was driving by a gas station and saw diesel fuel at $8.99 a gallon.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and the only people who will benefit from this resolution are the oil and gas companies.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “Finally, there is the question of the legality of repealing these waivers under the Congressional Review Act.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I will end with this.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “California’s economy, the fourth biggest in the world, has done pretty well without D.C.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Republicans meddling in its business.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 72
8 of 19 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.
Partly on point Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about. What the tags mean → “and the Republican majority has decided to use time on the floor today not to lower costs that are crushing Americans but to once again pick a fight with California.” About the Republican majority’s choice of floor time and attacks on California, not what the resolution does.
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 → “Now, California has the fourth largest economy in the world.” About California’s economy, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
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 → “We are also a donor State that pays more in Federal taxes than we get back by about $806 billion a year.” About California’s federal tax contributions, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
Partly on point Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about. What the tags mean → “But rather than thank us, House Republicans are instead trying to undermine our ability to govern ourselves and protect the health of Americans.” Frames the resolution as undermining California, but does not address what the resolution itself does or its effects.
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 → “The war of choice in Iran that the President initiated has caused prices to spike.” About the war in Iran and fuel prices, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
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 → “The other day, I was driving by a gas station and saw diesel fuel at $8.99 a gallon.” A personal anecdote about diesel prices, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
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 → “California’s economy, the fourth biggest in the world, has done pretty well without D.C.” About California’s economic success generally, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
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 → “Republicans meddling in its business.” About Republicans meddling generally, not the resolution’s subject or effects.
Reasoning · 93
0 of 19 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 “Republicans are ignoring the brand new direct order of the Federal court by continuing on with the CRAs.”
Because “and a Federal court has ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders that it submitted to Congress because EPA violated the law in labeling them as rules and submitting them to Congress for action under the CRA.”
“In fact, just this last Saturday, September 12, the court ordered EPA to undo its illegal actions specifically with respect to these two maritime waivers after the judge learned they were about to come up for a vote.”
Conclusion “I think Congress should reject this illegal overreach and vote ``no’’ on the resolution.”
Because “and a Federal court has ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders that it submitted to Congress because EPA violated the law in labeling them as rules and submitting them to Congress for action under the CRA.”
“In fact, just this last Saturday, September 12, the court ordered EPA to undo its illegal actions specifically with respect to these two maritime waivers after the judge learned they were about to come up for a vote.”
“It is easier and cheaper for ships to plug in at the dock,”
“and the only people who will benefit from this resolution are the oil and gas companies.”
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 19 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 · 6
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 “California has the fourth largest economy in the world” California has the fourth largest economy in the world. search 2 “pays more in Federal taxes than we get back by about $806 billion a year” California pays about $806 billion a year more in federal taxes than it receives back in federal spending. search 3 “The war of choice in Iran that the President initiated” President Trump initiated a war in Iran. search 4 “the State of California sued” California filed a lawsuit against the EPA over its reclassification of Clean Air Act waivers as rules under the Congressional Review Act. search 5 “a Federal court has ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders” A federal court ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders that the EPA had submitted to Congress under the Congressional Review Act. search 6 “just this last Saturday, September 12, the court ordered EPA to undo its illegal actions specifically with respect to these two maritime waivers” On Saturday, September 12, a federal court ordered the EPA to undo its actions with respect to the two California maritime waiver authorizations. search
