Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Jason Smith

Republican on Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act 2026-09-15

179 words · 9 sentences · 9 clauses

Statement grade

B+

80 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Procedure 20%Claims 51%Positioning 16%Thanks 14%

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 · 19 wordsI rise today in support of H.R. 9499, the Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act, introduced by Representative Malliotakis.¹Procedure Claims · 91 wordsShady businesses and criminal enterprises commit all types of tax fraud, including exploiting the system by filing returns on behalf of individuals while making it appear that the taxpayers prepared and submitted those returns themselves. The actions of these so-called ghost preparers can leave an innocent taxpayer facing the blame and potential IRS penalties for a crime that they did not commit. This legislation provides much-needed clarity within our tax code and ensures Americans do not face an indefinite future of IRS assessments or penalties because of the misdeeds of others.² Positioning · 28 wordsIt reflects the longstanding commitment of Representative Malliotakis to protecting the rights of taxpayers, particularly those within her own district who have been the victims of tax fraud.Positioning Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 25 wordsI applaud her leadership on the issue and her work to put forward legislation that received unanimous approval from the House Ways and Means Committee.³Thanks 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 · 50

6 of 6 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 today 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 “9499, the Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act, introduced by Representative Malliotakis.”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 “It reflects the longstanding commitment of Representative Malliotakis to protecting the rights of taxpayers, particularly those within her own district who have been the victims of tax fraud.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I applaud her leadership on the issue and her work to put forward legislation that received unanimous approval from the House Ways and Means Committee.”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 6 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 · 87

0 of 6 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 · 1

Conclusion“This legislation provides much-needed clarity within our tax code and ensures Americans do not face an indefinite future of IRS assessments or penalties because of the misdeeds of others.”

Because“Shady businesses and criminal enterprises commit all types of tax fraud, including exploiting the system by filing returns on behalf of individuals while making it appear that the taxpayers prepared and submitted those returns themselves.”

“The actions of these so-called ghost preparers can leave an innocent taxpayer facing the blame and potential IRS penalties for a crime that they did not commit.”

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 6 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 · 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“9499, the Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act, introduced by Representative Malliotakis.”H.R. 9499, the Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act, was introduced by Representative Malliotakis.search
2“ensures Americans do not face an indefinite future of IRS assessments”The bill limits the period during which the IRS can assess taxes or penalties on taxpayers whose returns were falsified by preparers, preventing indefinite assessments.search
3“received unanimous approval from the House Ways and Means Committee”The Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act received unanimous approval from the House Ways and Means Committee.search

Analyzed on 2026-10-17