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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity is 66. The grade is held to 33, 30 above Relevance. Reasoning rests on 2 conclusions, too few to hold the grade down. 33 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
73 / 100
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Relevance
3 / 100
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Reasoning
93 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
93 / 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.
Greeting 6% Claims 39% Anecdote 4% Aside 3% Reasoning 17% Promise 15% Procedure 8% Positioning 3% The ask 5%
Structure · 24 steps
Claims · 1
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Madam President, Greeting · 39 words reserving the right to object, though this bill is primarily focused on addressing bycatch in the Northern Pacific fisheries, Alaska, we still have questions in Massachusetts about how this bill will affect fisheries that expand beyond the Northern Pacific. Greeting Claims · 31 words Again, people sometimes don’t follow fishing issues that closely. They might be amazed to know that the largest two fishing areas in the United States are Alaska and Massachusetts--New Bedford, Gloucester.1 Anecdote · 23 words You have seen the movies. You saw ``The Perfect Storm.’’ You saw all of these incredible stories about Massachusetts and its fishing industry. Anecdote Claims · 29 words The same thing is true for Alaska. So we share that designation, and we kind of debate over which one is the No. 1 fishing State in the Union. Aside · 17 words It is not a debate in Senator Sullivan’s mind, I know, but it is important to us. Aside Claims · 13 words Reducing bycatch is an important issue in Alaska and in Massachusetts as well, Reasoning · 7 words and it is very much worth pursuing, Promise · 13 words so I hope to continue to work on this topic with my colleague. Vague promise Procedure · 6 words It is a very important subject. Procedure Claims · 23 words When you are trying to catch one fish and now you start catching other fish as well, that is what we call bycatch, Reasoning · 16 words and you want to minimize that. You want to just focus on the primary fishing objective. Procedure · 7 words So it is a very important subject, Procedure Positioning · 18 words and it is something that all of the people in the Alaska delegation understand better than anyone else. Positioning Claims · 19 words It is a fishery issue that is essential in Alaska, but it affects other States, including Massachusetts, as well. Reasoning · 60 words But since this bill includes language that would direct new regulations across fisheries, I owe it to my constituents in Massachusetts to talk directly with the fishermen and fishing organizations in Massachusetts that could be affected by any changes, and they will need the time just to make sure any modifications that are needed would be included in the legislation. Claims · 40 words Unfortunately, this bill is moving rapidly. We haven’t had enough time to tackle these questions and talk to those folks in Massachusetts, many of whom are out on their boats right now or are on the docks as we speak. The ask · 34 words We just need to give them the time to be able to fully consider the implications of this legislation just to make sure there is not an implication in the law of unintended consequences. Claims · 76 words We have areas of agreement, though--no question about it--to build upon. I support the establishment of a fund for bycatch mitigation and habitat protection, as well as for the reauthorization of the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program. All of that, I think, we can agree on. I think increased transparency and accountability in fisheries management is a critical goal, and I fundamentally believe in the aim of protecting our fisheries and habitats from unnecessary damage and harm. Promise · 16 words I want to continue to work with my colleague on that effort in the weeks ahead. Vague promise Claims · 13 words We are still going to be in session for another couple of months. Reasoning · 22 words I have to respect, however, the ongoing questions posed by my constituents in Massachusetts regarding what this bill would mean to them. Off point Promise · 67 words My staff is here with me--Jeremy D’Aloisio, Hannah Vogel, and Colleen Brown. They are here. They are willing to start talking right now, to work on this issue with Senator Sullivan’s staff in ensuring that we hear all of the concerns that come from the fishing communities in Massachusetts but then to come to the table to try to resolve any differences and to ultimately produce legislation. Procedure · 38 words So that is the reason I come out here, Off point and I do so having reserved my right to object. But having made my statement, I must at this point object to the motion of the Senator from Alaska. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×39 Procedure ×5 Anecdote ×3 Aside ×2 Vague promise ×2 Greeting Positioning Off topic Only 3% of this speech directly addressed the bill under debate.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 73
12 of 53 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.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “reserving the right to object, though this bill is primarily focused on addressing bycatch in the Northern Pacific fisheries, Alaska, we still have questions in Massachusetts about how this bill will affect fisheries that expand beyond the Northern Pacific.” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “You have seen the movies.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “You saw ``The Perfect Storm.’’” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “You saw all of these incredible stories about Massachusetts and its fishing industry.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “It is not a debate in Senator Sullivan’s mind, I know,” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “but it is important to us.” An aside: 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 → “It is a very important subject.” 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 → “So it is a very important subject,” 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 → “and it is something that all of the people in the Alaska delegation understand better than anyone else.” 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 → “So that is the reason I come out here,” 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 → “and I do so having reserved my right to object.” 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 → “But having made my statement, I must at this point object to the motion of the Senator from Alaska.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 3
39 of 53 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.
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 → “reserving the right to object, though this bill is primarily focused on addressing bycatch in the Northern Pacific fisheries, Alaska, we still have questions in Massachusetts about how this bill will affect fisheries that expand beyond the Northern Pacific.” About bycatch in Northern Pacific fisheries, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “Again, people sometimes don’t follow fishing issues that closely.” About public attention to fishing issues, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “They might be amazed to know that the largest two fishing areas in the United States are Alaska and Massachusetts--New Bedford, Gloucester.” About the largest fishing areas in the country, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “You have seen the movies.” A reference to fishing movies, not the workforce bill.
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 → “You saw ``The Perfect Storm.’’” About a film about a Massachusetts fishing disaster, not the workforce bill.
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 → “You saw all of these incredible stories about Massachusetts and its fishing industry.” About stories of the Massachusetts fishing industry, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 same thing is true for Alaska.” About Alaska’s fishing industry, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “So we share that designation,” About shared standing in fisheries, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “and we kind of debate over which one is the No. 1 fishing State in the Union.” About which State ranks first in fishing, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “It is not a debate in Senator Sullivan’s mind, I know,” About another senator’s view on fishing rankings, not the workforce bill.
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 → “but it is important to us.” About the importance of the fishing ranking to Massachusetts, not the workforce bill.
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 → “Reducing bycatch is an important issue in Alaska and in Massachusetts as well,” About reducing bycatch, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “and it is very much worth pursuing,” About the worth of pursuing bycatch reduction, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “so I hope to continue to work on this topic with my colleague.” About future work on bycatch with a colleague, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “It is a very important subject.” A general statement on the importance of bycatch, not the workforce bill.
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 → “When you are trying to catch one fish and now you start catching other fish as well, that is what we call bycatch,” A definition of bycatch, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “and you want to minimize that.” About minimizing bycatch, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “You want to just focus on the primary fishing objective.” About focusing fishing on the primary objective, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “So it is a very important subject,” A general statement on the importance of bycatch, not the workforce bill.
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 → “and it is something that all of the people in the Alaska delegation understand better than anyone else.” About the Alaska delegation’s knowledge of bycatch, not the workforce bill.
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 → “It is a fishery issue that is essential in Alaska,” About bycatch’s importance in Alaska, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “but it affects other States, including Massachusetts,” About bycatch’s effect on other States, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “as well.” A continuation of the point about bycatch affecting States, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “But since this bill includes language that would direct new regulations across fisheries, I owe it to my constituents in Massachusetts to talk directly with the fishermen and fishing organizations in Massachusetts that could be affected by any changes,” About the speaker’s description of the bill’s fisheries regulations and consulting constituents, not the workforce bill’s labor-management provisions.
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 → “and they will need the time just to make sure any modifications that are needed would be included in the legislation.” About needing time for modifications to fisheries legislation, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
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 → “Unfortunately, this bill is moving rapidly.” About the pace of the fisheries bill, not the workforce bill’s content.
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 haven’t had enough time to tackle these questions and talk to those folks in Massachusetts, many of whom are out on their boats right now or are on the docks as we speak.” About lack of time to consult Massachusetts fishermen, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
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 just need to give them the time to be able to fully consider the implications of this legislation just to make sure there is not an implication in the law of unintended consequences.” About constituents needing time to consider the fisheries legislation, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
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 have areas of agreement, though--no question about it--to build upon.” About areas of agreement on fisheries, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “I support the establishment of a fund for bycatch mitigation and habitat protection,” About supporting a bycatch mitigation fund, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “as well as for the reauthorization of the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program.” About reauthorizing a bycatch reduction program, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “All of that, I think, we can agree on.” About agreement on fisheries programs, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “I think increased transparency and accountability in fisheries management is a critical goal,” About transparency in fisheries management, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “and I fundamentally believe in the aim of protecting our fisheries and habitats from unnecessary damage and harm.” About protecting fisheries and habitats, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “I want to continue to work with my colleague on that effort in the weeks ahead.” About future work with a colleague on fisheries, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 still going to be in session for another couple of months.” About the Senate calendar, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
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 → “I have to respect, however, the ongoing questions posed by my constituents in Massachusetts regarding what this bill would mean to them.” About constituents’ questions on the fisheries bill, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
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 → “They are willing to start talking right now, to work on this issue with Senator Sullivan’s staff in ensuring that we hear all of the concerns that come from the fishing communities in Massachusetts but then to come to the table to try to resolve any differences and to ultimately produce legislation.” About staff working with another senator’s staff on fisheries concerns, a subject the workforce bill does not touch.
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 → “So that is the reason I come out here,” About the reason for coming to the floor on the fisheries matter, not the workforce bill’s provisions.
Reasoning · 93
0 of 53 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 “We just need to give them the time to be able to fully consider the implications of this legislation just to make sure there is not an implication in the law of unintended consequences.”
Because “But since this bill includes language that would direct new regulations across fisheries, I owe it to my constituents in Massachusetts to talk directly with the fishermen and fishing organizations in Massachusetts that could be affected by any changes,”
“and they will need the time just to make sure any modifications that are needed would be included in the legislation.”
“Unfortunately, this bill is moving rapidly.”
“We haven’t had enough time to tackle these questions and talk to those folks in Massachusetts, many of whom are out on their boats right now or are on the docks as we speak.”
Conclusion “But having made my statement, I must at this point object to the motion of the Senator from Alaska.”
Because “Unfortunately, this bill is moving rapidly.”
“We haven’t had enough time to tackle these questions and talk to those folks in Massachusetts, many of whom are out on their boats right now or are on the docks as we speak.”
“We just need to give them the time to be able to fully consider the implications of this legislation just to make sure there is not an implication in the law of unintended consequences.”
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 · 93
2 of 53 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.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “I hope to continue to work on this topic with my colleague” A commitment with no measure, date, or success condition attached.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “I want to continue to work with my colleague on that effort” The commitment names only a loose timeframe with no actor beyond ‘I’ and no concrete step or measure of success.
Claims · 1
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 largest two fishing areas in the United States are Alaska and Massachusetts” Alaska and Massachusetts are the two largest fishing areas in the United States. search
