Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Richard J. Durbin

Democrat on Nomination of Kasdin Miller Mitchell (Executive Session) 2026-09-17

136 words · 9 sentences · 11 clauses

Statement grade

A+

Average 96 / 100

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

Claims 84%Positioning 8%The ask 8%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. President, Claims · 20 wordstoday, the Senate will vote to confirm Kasdin Mitchell to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.¹ Positioning · 11 wordsMs. Mitchell’s record demonstrates that she prioritizes corporate interests over people.Positioning Claims · 94 wordsIn private practice, she has represented Big Tech companies and industrial polluters. She also represented the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association in the 2022 Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v.² Bruen, which led to gun safety laws across the country being struck down. Ms. Mitchell previously litigated against reproductive rights, and she argued for gutting the Voting Rights Act in a brief she submitted in Shelby County v.³ Holder. In addition to her professional record, she has strong ties to the Federalist Society and other rightwing organizations. The ask · 11 wordsI oppose her nomination and ask my colleagues to join me.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 91

1 of 1 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Ms. Mitchell’s record demonstrates that she prioritizes corporate interests over people.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

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 1 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“the Senate will vote to confirm Kasdin Mitchell to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas”The Senate held a vote on September 17, 2026 on the confirmation of Kasdin Mitchell to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.search
2“She also represented the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association in the 2022 Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v.”Kasdin Mitchell represented the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association in the 2022 Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.search
3“and she argued for gutting the Voting Rights Act in a brief she submitted in Shelby County v.”Kasdin Mitchell submitted a brief in Shelby County v. Holder arguing to limit the Voting Rights Act.search

Analyzed on 2026-10-17