pocket speech

Definition

A speech prepared but never delivered, kept in one's pocket for posterity and the Congressional Record. It's how legislators take credit for things they said without the inconvenience of actually saying them to anyone.

Example Usage

Unable to get floor time, the representative submitted her pocket speech opposing the bill, ensuring her constituents could read her brave stance that changed nothing.

Origin

From the literal practice of keeping prepared remarks in one's pocket when unable to deliver them on the floor

Fun Fact

The Congressional Record is full of pocket speeches, making it the world's most expensive collection of things nobody said out loud.

Source: Legislative procedure terminology

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