“I will share time so we can debate this bill. We will talk about passing this bill.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from Congress.
Recent debates
8 latest topics
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
13 statements
Moment of Silence in Honor of the 25th Anniversary of September 11
2 statements
Honoring Former U.S. Representative Charles Hatcher of Georgia
2 statements
Recognizing Firefighters from California's Third Congressional District
17 statements
Saluting White Plains Beautification Foundation
2 statements
Celebrating Rural Lawyer Julie Bear
4 statements
Operation Midway Blitz Anniversary
2 statements
Catherine Watts Celebrates 100th Birthday
4 statements
House of Representatives
Providing for Consideration of (H.R. 139) Sunshine Protection Act of 2025; Providing for Consideration of (H.R. 8595) National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act...
“I want this rule to pass. It will let us talk about and vote on four bills. I want those bills to pass. I want America to be strong and safe. I want our government to help veterans. I want the government to stop watching people who own guns. I want to make daylight saving time permanent. I want us to pass these bills today. I don't want to wait. I want us to pass these bills because I think Americans want them. I want us to pass these bills without arguing about other things.”
“I want to talk about how bad the other side is. They cause chaos. They fight each other. I don't like their bills. I don't think they help. I want you to know the other side is not helping. I want you to blame them. I don't like that some people talk about cutting money for veterans. I want you to think the other side does not care about veterans. I want to say that people who speak against the other side are being attacked. I want you to think the other side is against free speech. I want you to know life is hard for many people. I want you to blame the other side for high costs. I want you to think the President cares more about power than helping people. I want you to think the other side does not do their job. I want a different party in control. I think things would be better if my party was in control.”
“I want you to think I am positive about America. I want you to think America is great. We celebrated an anniversary. I talked to veterans. I want you to think I care about veterans. I want to talk about a bill for veterans. I want you to think the bill will help veterans. The bill gives more money to veterans and their families. I want you to think the bill will make it easier for veterans to see a doctor. The bill speeds up disability payments and gives more support to families. I want you to think the bill will help veterans move from military life to civilian life. I want to thank the chair for the bill. I want you to think the bill is important. I want you to think the bill is a good way to celebrate America's anniversary.”
“I don't like the bill. I want people to think the bill is bad. I want to say the bill takes money from some veterans and gives it to other veterans. I want people to think that is bad. I want to say that Republicans don't care about spending for other things. I want people to think Republicans only care about money for wars and rich people. I want people to think Republicans don't really care about veterans. I want people to be mad about the bill. I want people to contact us and say they don't like the bill. I want everyone to vote no on the bill.”
“I agree with my party friend. I don't like the bill. I want to talk about part of the bill about daylight saving time. I think the bill is bad. I think the bill is being rushed without enough talk. I want to say that we tried the same thing in the past and it was bad. I want to say that children had to go to school in the dark. I want to say that children died because of it. I want to say that I think we are making the same mistake again. I want to say that we are not talking to doctors about how it might be bad for people's health. I want to say that it can be bad for people's sleep and health. I want to say that a woman proposed to talk about it more but she was not allowed. I want to say that I think we should vote no on the rule.”
“I think the bill is bad. I want to talk about part of the bill about daylight saving time. I think the bill is being rushed without enough talk. I want to say that we tried the same thing in the past and it was bad. I want to say that children had to go to school in the dark. I want to say that children died because of it. I want to say that I think we are making the same mistake again. I want to say that we are not talking to doctors about how it might be bad for people's health. I want to say that it can be bad for people's sleep and health. I want to say that a woman proposed to talk about it more but she was not allowed. I want to say that I think we should vote no on the rule.”
“I want to blame the Trump administration for public health problems. I say they caused a crisis. I say they cut money for the CDC. I say that caused measles and cyclospora outbreaks. I say they changed a surveillance program, and that was bad. I say many Americans are sick because of Trump. I say the CDC failed and the HHS Secretary did not help. I am angry and worried. I want the CDC to have more money again. I want to blame every death on Trump.”
“I want to blame Democrats for not supporting veterans. I say they don't really care. I say they just want to spend more money. I say their solutions are bad. I say Democrats are misleading people. I say Republicans have real solutions. I say the Republican bill will spend less. I say Democrats won't fix the VA. I say Democrats won't help with mental health or slash bureaucracy. I say Democrats just want to throw money at the problem. I say Democrats don't care about improving veterans' lives. I say Democrats lie to people. I say Republicans really care about veterans. I say Republicans want to fix the VA. I say most Republicans on the committee are veterans. I say Republicans are fighting for veterans. I say Democrats are bloviating. I am angry. I want people to support the Republican bill.”
“I say Republicans are wrong about veterans. I say Republicans are bad. I say Republicans should be ashamed. I say Republicans are lying. I say Republicans are cutting benefits. I say VFW says Republicans are wrong. I say VFW opposes Republican bill. I say Republicans don't really care about veterans.”
“I say Republicans are lying. I say Republicans don't really care about veterans. I say Republicans want tax cuts for rich people. I say Republicans don't want to help veterans. I say Republicans are wrong. I say VFW says Republicans are wrong. I say Democrats are good. I say Democrats want to help veterans. I say Republicans should listen to Democrats. I say Republicans should be ashamed.”
“I want to talk about a bill to stop changing clocks. People don't like changing their clocks. But this bill is bad. It makes daylight saving time all the time. That is bad. It will be dark in the morning. People won't like that. Kids will go to school in the dark. People will drive to work in the dark. That is dangerous. We tried this before in 1974. It was bad then too. It didn't save energy. People got in accidents. People didn't like it. Doctors say it is bad for our sleep. It makes people sick. People in my district don't want this. They want standard time all the time. A poll says most Americans want that too. So I have a different bill with Pat Harrigan. Our bill will stop changing clocks and use standard time all the time.”
“I want states to be able to choose permanent daylight saving time. I think this bill is bad. It affects everyone. We should use science and history to make a choice. Our choice should be good for people's health, especially children. So I say vote no on this bill and no on the rule.”
“I respect veterans groups. Veterans made America great. Many veterans groups support this bill. They say it will help veterans and their families. I agree with them. I think we should pass this bill.”
“I'm glad my opponent started naming groups. Many groups support our side. I will name all the groups on our side. Texas veterans are on our side. They want our bill to pass. Your bill is a bad bill. It hurts veterans. Our bill is good. It expands benefits without taking them away. When people learn more about your bill they will be against it.”
“I don't like this bill. It stops tracking gun sales. Tracking gun sales is good. Tracking helps us fight gun violence. There were many shootings in my district. A young man died in a shooting. Police are searching for more shooters. My city had many shootings. I want to track gun sales to stop shootings.”
“I say the other side is bad. They side with gun makers. I side with kids. The other side is bad and mean. They have bad ideas. They don't care if people get shot.”
“I say the other side is bad. They make chaos. They don't work for people. They talk about clocks and old things. They don't help veterans. I say my side would help people. My side would work for people. My side would help with houses and doctors and money. I say the other side had their chance and they are bad. We should vote no on this and work for people.”
“I want this bill to pass. I say the other side is bad. They are communists. They don't make things better. A vote against my bill is a vote against good things. I want you to vote yes on my bill.”
“I don't like the rule. I want to change an amendment. My change is about aid and weapons for Palestinians and Israelis. I want that aid and those weapons to keep going there. If I can't have my change, I will vote no on the rule.”