Topics

Interested in suggesting a potential topic, learning about how topics are selected, or applying to be part of a topic wording committee?

Current Topics

Lincoln-Douglas

A Note About the LD Topic Release Schedule: Each summer, the Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee assigns a set of three topics to each bi-monthly topic cycle. All potential topics for the year are released the Monday following the conclusion of the National Tournament. In June, chapter advisors and member students will know, “These three topics will be voted on for September/October. These three topics will be voted on for November/December,” etc. One week prior to the topic being released for that topic cycle, chapter advisors and member students will vote on which of the three topics they prefer. The topic that receives the most votes will be the topic for that cycle.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate – 2024 September/October Topic

A total of 515 coaches and 2,219 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 38% of the coach vote and 36% of the student vote.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate – Novice Topic

Resolved: In the United States, national service ought to be mandatory.

Note: The novice Lincoln-Douglas topic is an optional topic that coaches and tournaments may choose to use each year in September/October, or the first two months of the novice season. The same topic is used each year and is created to be accessible to new debaters so that coaches can have a consistent, beginner-friendly topic to guide their novice LD curriculum using educational materials provided by the NSDA. Coaches are encouraged to check with tournament hosts in their area before exclusively prepping for one topic over another. Access sample cases on the mandatory national service topic.

Public Forum

A Note About the PF Topic Release Schedule: Each summer, the Public Forum Wording Committee assigns a set of two topics to each topic cycle. All potential topic areas and resolutions for the year are released the Monday following the conclusion of the National Tournament. In June, chapter advisors and member students will know, “These two topics will be voted on for September/October. These two topics will be voted on for November/December,” etc. One week prior to the topic being released for that topic cycle, chapter advisors and member students will vote on which of the two topics they prefer. The topic that receives the most votes will be the topic for that cycle.

Nationals topic options will be announced the last week of April.

Public Forum Debate – 2024 September/October Topic

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially expand its surveillance infrastructure along its southern border.

A total of 540 coaches and 2,421 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 64% of the coach vote and 66% of the student vote.

Policy Debate

Policy Debate – 2024-2025 Topic

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks.

Read a synopsis of the problem areas proposed for the 2024-2025 Policy Debate resolution.

Visit the NFHS website for a complete map of how states voted as well as the press release.

• Open Evidence Policy Files
• Policy Topic Workshops

Novice Case Limits for the 2024-2025 Policy Topic

• Patents: Emerging Technologies
• Patents: Green Technology
• Copyrights: Protect the Creative Arts
• Trademarks: Trademark Trolls

Policy Debate – 2025-2026 Topic

Read a synopsis of the problem areas proposed for the 2025-2026 Policy Debate resolution. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school will be able to cast a ballot online during September and October, ranking the five preliminary topics.

Big Questions

Big Questions – 2024-2025 Topic

A total of 495 coaches and 1,811 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 52% of the coach vote and 53% of the student vote.

Read an overview of the Big Questions topic choices for 2024-2025.

We invite you to incorporate issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion into your speech and debate activities. Explore our Extemp questions, Impromptu questions, and Congress legislation focused on these important topics.

Congress Legislation

A sample docket is provided monthly, on the first of the month.

Extemp Questions

Sample questions are provided monthly, on the first of the month.

World Schools Debate

Sample motions are provided monthly, on the first of the month

Potential Topics

Lincoln-Douglas Debate 2024-2025 Potential Topics

The Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee has developed a variety of potential resolutions for the 2024-2025 season. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school may vote for each topic one week prior to the topic release date. Topic voting for the September/October topic opens July 25, and the topic is announced August 1.

2024 September/October

• Resolved: The United States ought to adopt carbon pricing.
• Resolved: The United States ought to substantially increase restrictions on the Commander in Chief powers of the President of the United States.
• Resolved: The United States ought to require that workers receive a living wage.

2024 November/December

• Resolved: The United States ought to substantially increase incentives for nuclear power production.
• Resolved: The United States ought to adopt a wealth tax.
• Resolved: The Commonwealth of Australia ought to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

2025 January/February

• Resolved: The United States ought to formally recognize one or more of the following: Iraqi Kurdistan, the Republic of China, the Republic of Somaliland.
• Resolved: The United States ought to remove all or nearly all of its economic sanctions on one or more of the following: Islamic Republic of Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
• Resolved: The United States ought to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and/or the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

2025 March/April

• Resolved: Social media ought to be regulated as a public utility.
• Resolved: The development of Artificial General Intelligence is immoral.
• Resolved: The United States ought to ban non-therapeutic human genetic engineering.

2025 National Tournament

• Resolved: Violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
• Resolved: A just society ought to prefer social ownership to private ownership.
• Resolved: The United States ought to enact electoral reform that replaces the plurality voting system in federal elections.

Public Forum Debate 2024-2025 Potential Topics

The Public Forum Wording Committee has developed a variety of potential resolutions for the 2024-2025 season. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school may vote for each topic one week prior to the topic release date. Topic voting for the September/October topic opens July 25, and the topic is announced August 1.

2024 September/October

• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially expand its surveillance infrastructure along its southern border.
• Resolved: The United Mexican States should substantially increase private sector participation in its energy industry.

2024 November/December

• Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan.
• Resolved: The United States federal government should eliminate its intercontinental ballistic missiles.

2025 January

• Resolved: The East African Community Partner States should establish the East African Federation.
• Resolved: The African Union should grant diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

2025 February

• Resolved: The United States should accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
• Resolved: International financial institutions should cancel all outstanding public debt from fossil fuel projects in low- and middle-income countries (LIMC).

2025 March

• Resolved: In the United States, the benefits of the use of generative artificial intelligence in education outweigh the harms.
• Resolved: The United States federal government should ban corporate acquisition of single-family residences.

2025 April

• Resolved: The United States federal government should eliminate its agricultural subsidies for domestic corn production.
• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its investment in domestic nuclear energy.

2025 National Tournament

• Potential topics will be available in April 2025.

Past Topics

Past Topics - Big Questions

2024-2025 – Resolved: Creativity is a more powerful force than intelligence.

2023-2024 – Resolved: Belief in the supernatural is incompatible with belief in science.

2022-2023 – Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.

2021-2022 – Resolved: On balance, societies benefit from religious belief and practice.

2020-2021 – Resolved: Mathematics was discovered, not invented.

2019-2020 – Resolved: Objective morality exists.

2018-2019 – Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.

2016-2017 – Resolved: Science leaves no room for free will.

Past Topics - Lincoln-Douglas Debate

2024-2025

• September/October – Resolved: The United States ought to require that workers receive a living wage.

2023-2024

• Nationals 2024 – Resolved: In a democracy, a people ought to have the right to secede from their government.
• March/April – Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation.
• January/February – Resolved: The United States ought to substantially reduce its military presence in the West Asia-North Africa region.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands and waters.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.

2022-2023

• Nationals 2023 – Resolved: Government employees have a moral obligation to leak classified information to address injustice.
• March/April – Resolved: The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited.
• January/February – Resolved: Justice requires open borders for human migration.
• November/December – Resolved: The People’s Republic of China ought to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States ought to implement a single-payer universal healthcare system.

2021-2022

• Nationals 2022 – Resolved: Radicalism is preferable to incrementalism to achieve social justice.
• March/April – Resolved: In a democracy, a free press ought to prioritize objectivity over advocacy.
• January/February – Resolved: The appropriation of outer space by private entities is unjust.
• November/December – Resolved: A just government ought to recognize an unconditional right of workers to strike.
• September/October – Resolved: The member nations of the World Trade Organization ought to reduce intellectual property protections for medicines.

2020-2021

• Nationals – Resolved: A public health emergency justifies limiting civil liberties.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal child care.
• January/February – Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to provide a federal jobs guarantee.
• September/October – Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.

2019-2020

• Nationals – Resolved: The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy.
• March/April – Resolved: Predictive policing is unjust.
• January/February – Resolved: States ought to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to eliminate subsidies for fossil fuels.
• September/October – Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities ought not consider standardized tests in undergraduate admissions decisions.

2018-2019

• Nationals – Resolved: Violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
• March/April – Resolved: The illegal use of drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice.
• January/February – Resolved: The United States ought not provide military aid to authoritarian regimes.
• November/December – Resolved: In a democracy, the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
• September/October – Resolved: In the United States, reporters ought to have the right to protect the identity of confidential sources.

2017-2018

• Nationals – Resolved: The United States’ use of targeted killing in foreign countries is unjust.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.
• January/February- Resolved: Plea bargaining ought to be abolished in the United States criminal justice system.
• November/December – Resolved: Wealthy nations have an obligation to provide development assistance to other nations.
• September/October – Resolved: In the United States, national service ought to be compulsory.

2016-2017

• Nationals – Resolved: A just government ought to prioritize civil liberties over national security.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.
• January/February – Resolved: Public colleges and universities in the United States ought not restrict any constitutionally protected speech.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to limit qualified immunity for police officers.
• September/October – Resolved: Countries ought to prohibit the production of nuclear power.

2015-2016

• 2016 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Immigration ought to be recognized as a human right.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to promote democracy in the Middle East.
• January/February – Resolved: In the United States, private ownership of handguns ought to be banned.
• November/December – Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, jury nullification ought to be used in the face of perceived injustice.
• September/October – Resolved: Adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices.

2014-2015

• 2015 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Inaction in the face of injustice makes individuals morally culpable.
• March/April – Resolved: Just governments ought to ensure food security for their citizens.
• January/February – Resolved: Just governments ought to require that employers pay a living wage.
• November/December – Resolved: The “right to be forgotten” from Internet searches ought to be a civil right.
• September/October – Resolved: A just society ought to presume consent for organ procurement from the deceased.

2013-2014

• 2014 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The United States ought to prioritize the pursuit of national security objectives above the digital privacy of its citizens.
• March/April – Resolved: Placing political conditions on humanitarian aid to foreign countries is unjust.
• January/February – Resolved: Developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over resource extraction when the two are in conflict.
• November/December – Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, truth-seeking ought to take precedence over attorney-client privilege.
• September/October – Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.

2012-2013

• 2013 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Oppressive government is more desirable than no government.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses.
• January/February – Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.

2011-2012

• 2012 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens.
• March/April – Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.
• January/February – Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.
• November/December – Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.
• September/October – Resolved: Justice requires the recognition of animal rights.

2010-2011

• 2011 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: When forced to choose, a just government ought to prioritize universal human rights over its national interest.
• March/April – Resolved: The United States is justified in using private military firms abroad to pursue its military objectives.
• January/February – Resolved: In the United States, juveniles charged with violent felonies ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.
• November/December Topic – Resolved: The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice.
• September/October – Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons.

2009-2010

• 2010 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Compulsory inclusion of non-felons’ DNA in any government database is unjust.
• 2010 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: That the United States government has a moral obligation to afford the same constitutional rights to all people on United States soil.
• March/April – Resolved: In the United States, the principle of jury nullification is a just check on government.
• January/February – Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy objectives.
• November/December – Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.
• September/October – Resolved: Public High school students in the United States ought not be required to pass standardized exit exams to graduate.

2008-2009

• 2009 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Military conscription is unjust.
• 2009 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: When in conflict, the preservation of minority cultural values ought to be valued above the preservation of a unified national culture.
• March/April – Resolved: Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law.
• January/February – Resolved: The United States ought to submit to the jurisdiction of an international court designed to prosecute crimes against humanity.
• November/December – Resolved: In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote.
• September/October – Resolved: It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people.

2007-2008

• 2008 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Limiting economic inequality ought to be a more important social goal than maximizing economic freedom.
• 2008 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: That secondary education in America should value the fine arts over athletics.
• March/April – Resolved: Hate crime enhancements are unjust in the United States.
• January/February – Resolved: It is just for the United States to use military force to prevent the acquisition of nuclear weapons by nations that pose a military threat.
• November/December – Resolved: In the United States, plea-bargaining in exchange for testimony is unjust.
• September/October – Resolved: A just society ought not use the death penalty as a form of punishment.

2006-2007

• 2007 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: On balance, violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
• 2007 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: That judicial activism is unjust in a democracy.
• March/April – Resolved: The United Nations’ obligation to protect global human rights ought to be valued above its obligation to respect national sovereignty.
• January/February – Resolved: The actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals.
• November/December – Resolved: A victim’s deliberate use of deadly force is a just response to repeated domestic violence.
• September/October – Resolved: A just government should provide health care to its citizens.

2005-2006

• 2006 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: In matters of collecting military intelligence, the ends justify the means.
• 2006 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: When in conflict, an individual’s freedom of speech should be valued above a community’s moral standards.
• March/April – Resolved: Juveniles charged with violent crimes should be tried and punished as adults.
• January/February – Resolved: The use of the state’s power of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is unjust.
• November/December – Resolved: Judicial activism is necessary to protect the rights of American citizens.
• September/October – Resolved: In matters of U.S. immigration policy, restrictions on the rights of non-citizens are consistent with democratic ideals.

2004-2005

• 2005 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be constrained by concern for societal good.
• 2005 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: the primary purpose of formal education ought to be to impart knowledge.
• March/April – Resolved: to better protect civil liberties, community standards ought to take precedence over conflicting national standards.
• January/February – Resolved: democracy is best served by strict separation of church and state.
• November/December – Resolved: the United States has a moral obligation to promote democratic ideals in other nations.
• September/October – Resolved: individual claims of privacy ought to be valued above competing claims of societal welfare.

2003-2004

• 2004 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.
• 2004 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: a nation’s citizens’ rights ought to take precedence over its security.
• March/April – Resolved: as a general principle, individuals have an obligation to value the common good above their own interests.
• January/February – Resolved: a government’s obligation to protect the environment ought to take precedence over its obligation to promote economic development.
• November/December – Resolved: the U.S. has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts.
• September/October – Resolved: in the U.S. judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privileged communication.

2002-2003

• 2003 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: rehabilitation ought to be valued above punishment in the U.S. criminal justice system.
• 2003 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: capitalism is the most just economic system.
• March/April – Resolved: when in conflict, the letter of the law ought to take priority over the spirit of the law.
• January/February – Resolved: when in conflict, globalization ought to be valued above national sovereignty.
• November/December – Resolved: when in conflict, academic freedom in U.S. high schools ought to be valued above community standards.
• September/October – Resolved: when the United States is engaged in military conflict, the demands of national security ought to supersede conflicting claims of individual rights.

2001-2002

• 2002 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: laws which protect citizens from themselves are justified.
• 2002 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: the people’s right to know outweighs the government’s need for confidentiality.
• March/April – Resolved: limiting the freedom of expression of adults is justified by society’s interest in protecting children.
• January/February – Resolved: oppressive government is more desirable than no government.
• November/December – Resolved: a lesser developed nation’s right to develop ought to take priority over its obligation to protect the environment.
• September/October – Resolved: decentralized governmental power ought to be a fundamental goal of democratic society.

2000-2001

• 2001 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: on balance, violent revolution is a just response to oppression.
• 2001 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: providing for basic human needs of citizens in a society ought to be valued above individual property rights.
• March/April – Resolved: the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
• January/February – Resolved: the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
• November/December – Resolved: establishing a safe educational environment in grades K-12 justifies infringement of students’ civil liberties.
• September/October – Resolved: colleges and universities have a moral obligation to prohibit the public expression of hate speech on their campuses.

1999-2000

• 2000 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: inaction in the face of injustice makes an individual morally culpable.
• 2000 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: discriminations made by society on the basis of chronological age alone are justified.
• March/April – Resolved: the intervention of one nation in the domestic affairs of another nation is morally justified.
• January/February – Resolved: violent juvenile offenders ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.
• November/December – Resolved: the use of economic sanctions to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals is moral.
• September/October – Resolved: when they conflict, respect for cultural sensitivity ought to be valued above the commercial use of free speech.

1998-1999

• 1999 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: capitalism is superior to socialism as a means of achieving economic justice.
• 1999 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: the objectives of democracy are best fulfilled through a separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers.
• March/April – Resolved: human genetic engineering is morally justified.
• January/February – Resolved: in the United States, a journalist’s right to shield confidential sources ought to be protected by the First Amendment.
• November/December – Resolved: capital punishment is justified.
• September/October – Resolved: the individual ought to value the sanctity of life above the quality of life.

1997-1998

• 1998 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: in the United States’ justice system, due process ought to be valued above the pursuit of truth when they are in conflict.
• 1998 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: individuals ought to sacrifice their ideals for the sake of compromise.
• March/April – Resolved: civil disobedience is justified in a democracy.
• January/February – Resolved: a just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.
• November/December – Resolved: an adolescent’s right to privacy ought to be valued above a parent’s conflicting right to know.
• September/October – Resolved: global concerns ought to be valued above conflicting national concerns.

1996-1997

• 1997 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the public’s right to know is of greater value than the individual’s right to privacy.
• March/April – Resolved: on balance, individuals ought to have a greater obligation to themselves than to their community.
• January/February – Resolved: in United States policy, the principle of universal human rights ought to take precedence over conflicting national interest.
• November/December – Resolved: when they are in conflict, a business’ responsibility to itself ought to be valued above its responsibility to society.
• September/October – Resolved: when in conflict, society’s goal of eliminating discrimination ought to transcend an individual’s right to participate in exclusive, voluntary associations.

1995-1996

• 1996 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That limiting constitutional freedoms is a just response to terrorism in the United States.
• March/April – Resolved: when in conflict, American cultural unity ought to be valued above cultural diversity.
• January/February – Resolved: an oppressive government is more desirable than no government.
• November/December – Resolved: the pursuit of feminist ideals is detrimental to the achievement of gender equality.
• September/October – Resolved: individuals with disabilities ought to be afforded the same athletic competition opportunities as able-bodied athletes.

1994-1995

• 1995 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: when in conflict, the safety of others is of greater value than the right to privacy of those with infectious diseases.
• March/April – Resolved: on balance, institutional censorship of academic material is harmful to the educational development of the students.
• January/February – Resolved: laws which protect citizens from themselves are justified.
• November/December – Resolved: when in conflict, community standards are of greater value than individual liberty.
• September/October – Resolved: an individual’s freedom of expression is of greater value than political correctness.

1993-1994

• 1994 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: when in conflict, protection of the innocent is of greater value than prosecution of the guilty.
• March/April – Resolved: terminally ill patients have the right to die when and how they choose.
• January/February – Resolved: when called upon by one’s government, individuals are morally obligated to risk their lives for their country.
• November/December – Resolved: the public’s right to know is of greater value than the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
• September/October – Resolved: secondary education in the United States ought to be a privilege, not a right.

1992-1993

• 1993 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the protection of domestic order justifies the curtailment of First Amendment rights.
• March/April – Resolved: the principle of majority rule ought to be valued above the principle of minority rights.
• January/February – Resolved: when in conflict, the spirit of the law ought to take priority over the letter of the law.
• November/December – Resolved: in the criminal justice system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privileged communication.
• September/October – Resolved: the U.S. military interference in the internal affairs of other countries is justified.

1991-1992

• 1992 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the United States government ought to provide for the medical care of its citizens.
• March/April – Resolved: the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
• January/February – Resolved: a victim’s deliberate use of deadly force is justified as a response to physical abuse.
• November/December – Resolved: human genetic engineering is morally justified.
• September/October – Resolved: a liberal arts curriculum is preferable to an employment-readiness curriculum in U.S. secondary schools.

1990-1991

• 1991 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: members of the United States Congress ought to value the national interest above constituent’s interests when the two are in conflict.
• March/April – Resolved: the pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be limited by a concern for societal good.
• January/February – Resolved: showing disrespect for the American flag is antithetical to fundamental American values.
• November/December – Resolved: government limits on the individual’s right to bear arms in the United States are justified.
• September/October – Resolved: competition is superior to cooperation as a means of achieving excellence.

1989-1990

• 1990 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: individual obedience to law plays a greater role in maintaining ethical public service than does individual obedience to conscience.
• March/April – Resolved: development of natural resources ought to be valued above protection of the environment.
• January/February – Resolved: communities in the United States ought to have the right to suppress pornography.
• November/December – Resolved: all United States citizens ought to perform a period of national service.
• September/October – Resolved: that the United States ought to value global concerns above its own national concerns.

1988-1989

• 1989 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the American criminal justice system ought to place a higher priority on retribution than on rehabilitation.
• March/April – Resolved: the public’s right to know ought to be valued above U.S. national security interests.
• January/February – Resolved: limitations upon the content of student publications by secondary school administrators are justified.
• November/December – Resolved: affirmative action programs to remedy the effects of discrimination are justified.
• September/October – Resolved: the individual ought to value the sanctity of life above the quality of life.

1987-1988

• 1988 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: violent revolution is a just response to oppression.
• March/April/May – Resolved: when they are in conflict, the principle of privileged communication ought to be subordinate to the maintenance of law and order.
• December/January/February – Resolved: the protection of society’s health interest through broad based mandatory testing of AIDS ought to be more important than personal privacy rights.
• September/October/November – Resolved: the protection of public safety justifies random, mandatory drug testing throughout society.

1986-1987

• 1987 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: when they are in conflict, the right to a free press is a higher priority than the right to a fair trial.
• March/April – Resolved: a parliamentary system of government would better fulfill the values underlying the American Constitution.
• January/February – Resolved: That decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in criminal cases ought to reflect the values of the American people.
• November/December – Resolved: an unjust government is better than no government at all.

1985-1986

• 1986 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: giving sanctuary to illegal refugees in the United States justifiably places moral law above positive law.
• March/April – Resolved: allowing innocent people to be harmed is preferable than giving into terrorists’ demands.
• January/February – Resolved: the restriction of civil liberties in the United States for the sake of combating terrorism is justified.
• November/December – Resolved: the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations.
• September/October – Resolved: the use of sanctions to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals ought to be immoral.

1984-1985

• 1985 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the American media works against the best interest of the American public.
• March/April – Resolved: a just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.
• January/February – Resolved: nothing is politically right that is morally wrong.
• Resolved: U.S. immigration policy is inconsistent with American ideals.

1983-1984

• 1984 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: uniformity in education leads to mediocrity.
• March/April – Resolved: civil disobedience is justified in a democracy.
• January/February – Resolved: even in a democratic society morality can be legislated.

1982-1983

• 1983 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Liberty is more precious than law.
• March/April – Resolved: protection of the environment should take precedence over the development of natural resources.
• January/February – Resolved: funding for human services programs should take precedence over a balanced budget.
• Resolved: the right to a free press outweighs the right to a fair trial.
• Resolved: the right to die takes precedence over other ethical and moral considerations.

1981-1982

• 1982 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the economic health of a nation is more important than the social programs for its citizens.
• March/April – Resolved: it is undesirable to expend societal resources on the enforcement of laws against victimless crimes.
• January/February – Resolved: the rights of the victim should take precedence over the rights of the accused in felony cases.

1980-1981

• 1981 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the protection of human rights should have a higher priority in shaping America’s foreign policy.
• March/April – Resolved: military conscription is a superior alternative to a voluntary army.
• January/February – Resolved: it is morally unjustifiable to require an individual to join a labor organization as a condition of employment.

1979-1980

• 1980 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The strength of the present methods of funding the social security system outweighs the weaknesses.

° The National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) sets its own topics. The Association provides this for informational purposes only.

Past Topics - Public Forum Debate

2024-2025

• September/October – Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially expand its surveillance infrastructure along its southern border.

2023-2024

• Nationals 2024 – Resolved: The United States should establish a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the European Union.
• April – Resolved: The United Nations should abolish permanent membership on its Security Council.
• March – Resolved: In the United States, collegiate student-athletes should be classified as employees of their educational institution.
• February – Resolved: The United States federal government should ban single-use plastics.
• January – Resolved: The United States federal government should repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States federal government should forgive all federal student loan debt.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its military presence in the Arctic.

2022-2023

• Nationals 2023 – Resolved: The United States should adopt ranked-choice voting for its federal elections.
• April – Resolved: The United States Federal Government should ban the collection of personal data through biometric recognition technology.
• March – Resolved: The Republic of India should sign the Artemis Accords.
• February – Resolved: In the United States, right-to-work laws do more harm than good.
• January – Resolved: The United States Federal Government should increase its diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve internal armed conflicts in West Asia.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States’ strategy of Great Power Competition produces more benefits than harms.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its investment in high-speed rail.

2021-2022

• Nationals 2022 – Resolved: The United States should establish a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan.
• April – Resolved: Japan should revise Article 9 of its Constitution to develop offensive military capabilities.
• March – Resolved: In the United States, the benefits of increasing organic agriculture outweigh the harms.
• February – Resolved: On balance, Turkey’s membership is beneficial to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
• January – Resolved: The United States federal government should legalize all illicit drugs.
• November/December – Resolved: Increased United States federal regulation of cryptocurrency transactions and/or assets will produce more benefits than harms.
• September/October – Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should substantially increase its defense commitments to the Baltic states.

2020-2021

• Nationals 2021 – Resolved: In the United States, social media is beneficial for democratic values.
• April – Resolved: The benefits of the International Monetary Fund outweigh the harms.
• March – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of creating the United States Space Force outweigh the harms.
• February – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweigh the harms.
• January – Resolved: The National Security Agency should end its surveillance of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
• November/December – Resolved: The United States should adopt a declaratory nuclear policy of no first use.
• September/October – Resolved: The United States federal government should enact the Medicare-For-All Act of 2019.

2019-2020

• Nationals 2020 – Resolved: On balance, charter schools are beneficial to the quality of education in the United States.
• April 2020 – Resolved: The United States should remove nearly all of its military presence in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.
• March 2020 – Resolved: The United States should increase its use of nuclear energy for commercial energy production.
• February 2020 – Resolved: The United States should replace means-tested welfare programs with a universal basic income.
• January 2020 – Resolved: The United States should end its economic sanctions against Venezuela.
• November/December 2019 – Resolved: The benefits of the United States federal government’s use of offensive cyber operations outweigh the harms.
• September/October 2019 – Resolved: The European Union should join the Belt and Road Initiative.

2018-2019

• Nationals 2019 – Resolved: The United States federal government should enforce antitrust regulations on technology giants.
• April 2019 – Resolved: The United Nations should grant India permanent membership on the Security Council.
• March 2019 – Resolved: The United States should promote the development of market rate housing in urban neighborhoods.
• February 2019 – Resolved: The United States should end its arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
• January 2019 – Resolved: The United States federal government should prioritize reducing the federal debt over promoting economic growth.
• November/December 2018 – Resolved: The United States federal government should impose price controls on the pharmaceutical industry.
• September/October 2018 – Resolved: The United States should accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea without reservations.

2017-2018

• Nationals 2018 – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of United States participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement outweigh the consequences.
• April 2018 – Resolved: The United States federal government should increase its quota of H-1B visas.
• March 2018 – Resolved: On balance, the current Authorization for Use of Military Force gives too much power to the president.
• February 2018 – Resolved: The United States should abolish the capital gains tax.
• January 2018 – Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.
• December 2017 – Resolved: NCAA student athletes ought to be recognized as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• November 2017 – Resolved: The United States should require universal background checks for all gun sales and transfers of ownership.
• September/October 2017 – Resolved: Deployment of anti-missile systems is in South Korea’s best interest.

2016-2017

• Nationals 2017 – Resolved: In East Africa, the United States federal government should prioritize its counterterrorism efforts over its humanitarian assistance.
• April 2017 – Resolved: The United States ought to replace the Electoral College with a direct national popular vote.
• March 2017 – Resolved: The United States should no longer pressure Israel to work toward a two-state solution.
• February 2017 – Resolved: The United States should lift its embargo against Cuba.
• January 2017 – Resolved: In order to better respond to international conflicts, the United States should significantly increase its military spending.
• December 2016 – Resolved: The United States should end Plan Colombia.
• November 2016 – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of the Internet of Things outweigh the harms of decreased personal privacy.
• September/October 2016 – Resolved: In United States public K-12 schools, the probable cause standard ought to apply to searches of students.

2015-2016

• 2016 National Speech & Debate Tournament – On balance, a one-day national primary would be more beneficial for the United States than our current presidential primary process.
• April 2016 – Resolved: To alleviate income inequality in the United States, increased spending on public infrastructure should be prioritized over increased spending on means-tested welfare programs.
• March 2016 – Resolved: The United States should withdraw its military presence from Okinawa.
• February 2016 – Resolved: The United States federal government should adopt a carbon tax.
• January 2016 – Resolved: On balance, economic sanctions are reducing the threat Russia poses to Western interests.
• December 2015 – Resolved: On balance, standardized testing is beneficial to K-12 education in the United States.
• November 2015 – Resolved: In response to the current crisis, a government should prioritize the humanitarian needs of refugees over its national interests.
• September/October 2015 – Resolved: The United States Federal Government ought to pay reparations to African Americans.

2014-2015

• 2015 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The benefits of First Amendment protection of anonymous speech outweigh the harms.
• April 2015 – Resolved: Committing United States ground combat troops to fight ISIL is in the best interest of the United States.
• March 2015 – Resolved: In the United States, students should be guaranteed two years of free tuition to a community or technical college.
• February 2015 – Resolved: On balance, economic globalization benefits worldwide poverty reduction.
• January 2015 – Resolved: United Nations peacekeepers should have the power to engage in offensive operations.
• December 2014 – Resolved: For-profit prisons in the United States should be banned.
• November 2014 – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of genetically modified foods outweigh the harms.
• September/October 2014 – Resolved: On balance, public subsidies for professional athletic organizations in the United States benefit their local communities.

2013-2014

• 2014 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: NATO should strengthen its relationship with Ukraine in order to deter further Russian aggression.
• April 2014 – Resolved: Prioritizing economic development over environmental protection is in the best interest of the people of India.
• March 2014 – Resolved: Single-gender classrooms would improve the quality of education in American public schools.
• February 2014 – Resolved: The Supreme Court rightly decided that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act violated the Constitution.
• January 2014 – Resolved: Development assistance should be prioritized over military aid in the Sahel region of Africa.
• December 2013 – Resolved: Immigration reform should include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
• November 2013 – Resolved: The benefits of domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency outweigh the harms.
• September/October 2013 – Resolved: Unilateral military force by the United States is justified to prevent nuclear proliferation.

2012-2013

• 2013 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The benefits of American drone strikes against foreign targets outweigh the harms.
• April 2013 – Resolved: The continuation of current U.S. anti-drug policies in Latin America will do more harm than good.
• March 2013 – Resolved: The U.S. government should not require its citizens to have health insurance.
• February 2013 – Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States.
• January 2013 – Resolved: On balance, the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission harms the election process.
• December 2012 – Resolved: The United States should prioritize tax increases over spending cuts.
• November 2012 – Resolved – Current U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East undermines our national security.
• October 2012 – Resolved: Developed countries have a moral obligation to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• September 2012 – Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

2011-2012

• 2012 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Stand Your Ground laws are a legitimate expansion of the doctrine of self defense.
• April 2012 – Resolved: State mandated administration of childhood vaccinations is justified.
• March 2012 – Resolved: The United States should suspend all assistance to Pakistan.
• February 2012 – Resolved: Birthright citizenship should be abolished in the United States.
• January 2012 – Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.
• December 2011 – Resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals.
• November 2011 – Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.
• October 2011 – Resolved: Private sector investment in human space exploration is preferable to public sector investment.
• September 2011 – Resolved: The benefits of post-9/11 security measures outweigh the harms to personal freedom.

2010-2011

• 2011 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the United States should intervene in another nation’s struggle for democracy.
• April 2011 – Resolved: The United States federal government should permit the use of financial incentives to encourage organ donation.
• March 2011 – Resolved: North Korea poses a more serious threat to United States national security than Iran.
• February 2011 – Resolved: Wikileaks is a threat to United States national security.
• January 2011 – Resolved: In the United States, plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system.
• December 2010 – Resolved: Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense.
• November 2010 – Resolved: High school Public Forum Debate resolutions should not confront sensitive religious issues.
• October 2010 – Resolved: NATO presence improves the lives of Afghan citizens.
• September 2010 – Resolved: Allowing deep water offshore oil drilling is in the best interest of the United States.

2009-2010

• 2010 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Current trends in American political dialogue compromise meaningful democratic deliberation.
• 2010 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: That the constitutional right of freedom of religion has wrongly evolved into freedom from religion.
• April 2010 – Resolved: On balance, government employee labor unions have a positive impact on the United States.
• March 2010 – Resolved: Affirmative action to promote equal opportunity in the United States is justified.
• February 2010 – Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.
• January 2010 – Resolved: President Obama’s plan for increasing troops in Afghanistan is in the United States’ best interest.
• December 2009 – Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.
• November 2009 – Resolved: Failed nations are a greater threat to the United States than stable nations.
• October 2009 – Resolved: When in conflict, the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental protection.
• September 2009 – Resolved: United States policy on illegal immigration should focus on attrition through enforcement rather than amnesty.

2008-2009

• 2009 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the United States should normalize relations with Cuba.
• 2009 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: A society has an obligation to ensure adequate health care for its citizens.
• April 2009 – Resolved: That the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 serves the best interest of the American people.
• March 2009 – Resolved: That, on balance, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has improved academic achievement in the United States.
• February 2009 – Resolved: That, on balance, the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) has had a positive impact on the United States.
• January 2009 – Resolved: That, by 2040, the federal government should mandate that all new passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the United States be powered by alternative fuels.
• December 2008 – Resolved: That, on balance, social networking Web sites have a positive impact on the United States.
• November 2008 – Resolved: That the United States government should implement universal health care modeled after the French system.
• October 2008 – Resolved: The United States should significantly increase its use of nuclear energy.
• September 2008 – Resolved: That the United States should implement a military draft.

2007-2008

• 2008 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: US policies established after September 11, 2001 have substantially reduced the risk of terrorist acts against the United States.
• 2008 NCFL° Nationals – Resolved: That the US Government should increase social services for indigenous peoples in America.
• April 2008 – Resolved: That the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will successfully mitigate economic slowdowns over the next year.
• March 2008 – Resolved: The US system of presidential primaries is contrary to democratic values.
• February 2008 – Resolved: That Russia has become a threat to U.S. interests.
• January 2008 – Resolved: In a democracy, civil disobedience is an appropriate weapon in the fight for justice.
• December 2007 – Resolved:That the United States would be justified in pursuing military options against Iran.
• November 2007 – Resolved: That eliminating United States government budget deficits should be prioritized over increasing domestic spending.
• October 2007 – Resolved: That the United States should encourage the implementation of a soft partition of Iraq.
• September 2007 – Resolved: That the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated.

2006-2007

• 2007 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the private ownership of handguns should be banned in the United States.
• 2007 NCFL Nationals° – Resolved: That the President and Vice-President of the United States should be elected by a direct vote of the American citizens.
• April 2007 – Resolved: United States corporations should honor all prior commitments to employee pensions.
• March 2007 – Resolved: That the quantity of credit available to American consumers should be significantly reduced.
• February 2007 – Resolved: The costs of legalized casino gambling in the United States outweigh the benefits.
• January 2007 – Resolved: That lobbyists negatively influence the legislative process in the United States.
• December 2006 – Resolved: Colleges and Universities in the United States should end their early admission programs.
• November 2006 – Resolved: That participating in multinational diplomatic efforts is beneficial to U. S. interests.
• October 2006 – Resolved: Current immigration laws in the United States should be enforced.
• September 2006 – Resolved: That the benefits of NASA’s space exploration programs justify the costs.

2005-2006

• 2006 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the United States government should ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
• April 2006 – Resolved: That the American media work against the best interest of the American public.
• March 2006 – Resolved: That big box retailers benefit the communities in which they are located.
• February 2006 – Resolved: That the policy decisions of the current Israeli government toward the Palestinian state have improved prospects for peace in the Middle East.
• January 2006 – Resolved: In the United States, public high school science curriculum should include the study of the Theory of Intelligent Design.
• December 2005 – Resolved: That the National Basketball Association (NBA) should rescind its dress code.
• November 2005 – Resolved: That the United States federal government should fund Hurricane Katrina relief and rebuilding by ending President Bush’s tax cuts.
• October 2005 – Resolved: That the United Nations should be the primary agent to lead and direct the fight against terrorism around the world.
• September 2005 – Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities should be permitted to pay stipends to their Division I athletes.

2004-2005

• 2005 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That, when a choice is required for public high schools in the United States, government funding should prioritize vocational education over college preparatory education.
• April 2005 – Resolved: The United States should issue guest worker visas to illegal aliens.
• March 2005 – Resolved: Student aptitude should be assessed through standardized testing.
• February 2005 – Resolved: In the United States, the current system of federal income taxation should be replaced by a flat rate income tax.
• January 2005 – Resolved: The United States Constitution should be amended to establish a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices.
• December 2004 – Resolved: Corporate offshoring aids in the economic development of the United States.
• November 2004 – Resolved: The United States government should allow Americans to purchase prescription drugs from other countries.
• October 2004 – Resolved: In the United States, public opinion polls positively affect the election process.
• September 2004 – Resolved: That he United States should establish a cabinet-level position to oversee its entire intelligence community.

2003-2004

• 2004 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: All young adults in every nation should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.
• April 2004 – Resolved: English should be the official national language of the United States.
• March 2004 – Resolved: The United States should provide universal health care insurance to all U.S. citizens.
• February 2004 – Resolved: Americans should be allowed to share copyrighted media over the internet.
• January 2004 – Resolved: The United States is losing the War on Terror.
• December 2003 – Resolved: Congress should repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.
• November 2003 – Resolved: That Federal judges should be elected in their district for a limited term rather than appointed by the President for a life term.
• October 2003 – Resolved: That the United States should comply with United Nations’ decisions concerning international peacekeeping operations.
• September 2003 – Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.

2002-2003

• 2003 National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the United States should assume primary responsibility for the rebuilding of Iraq.
• April 2003 – Resolved: Awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases should be limited to $250,000.
• March 2003 – Resolved: Affirmative action should not be practiced in college and university admission.
• February 2003 – Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished in America.
• January 2003 – Resolved: The Federal Government should authorize oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve.
• December 2002 – Resolved: The the “Bush” tax cuts should be made permanent.
• October/November 2002 – Resolved: Commercial airline pilots should be armed in the cockpit.

° The National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) sets its own topics. The Association provides this for informational purposes only.

Past Topics - Policy Debate

2024-2025

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks.

2023-2024

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.

2022-2023

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

2021-2022

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.

2020-2021

Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing.

2019-2020

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce Direct Commercial Sales and/or Foreign Military Sales of arms from the United States.

2018-2019

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its restrictions on legal immigration to the United States.

2017-2018

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.

2016-2017

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.

2015-2016

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

2014-2015

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth’s oceans.

2013-2014

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela.

2012-2013

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.

2011-2012

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its exploration and/or development of space beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.

2010-2011

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey.

2009-2010

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.

2008-2009

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.

2007-2008

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.

2006-2007

Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one or more of the following national service programs: AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, Senior Corps, Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America, Armed Forces.

2005-2006

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially decrease its authority either to detain without charge or to search without probable cause.

2004-2005

Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy substantially increasing its support of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

2003-2004

Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine natural resources.

2002-2003

Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially increase public health services for mental health care in the United States.

2001-2002

Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy significantly limiting the use of weapons of mass destruction.

2000-2001

Resolved: That the United States federal government should significantly increase protection of privacy in the United States in one or more of the following areas: employment, medical records, consumer information, search and seizure.

1999-2000

Resolved: That the federal government should establish an education policy to significantly increase academic achievement in secondary schools in the United States.

1998-1999

Resolved: That the United States should substantially change its foreign policy toward Russia.

1997-1998

Resolved: That the federal government should establish a policy to substantially increase renewable energy use in the United States.

1996-1997

Resolved: That the federal government should establish a program to substantially reduce juvenile crime in the United States.

1995-1996

Resolved: That the United States government should substantially change its foreign policy toward the People’s Republic of China.

1994-1995

Resolved: That the United States government should substantially strengthen regulation of immigration to the United States.

1993-1994

Resolved: That the federal government should guarantee comprehensive national health insurance to all United States citizens.

1992-1993

Resolved: That the United States government should reduce worldwide pollution through its trade and/or aid policies.

1991-1992

Resolved: That the federal government should significantly increase social services to homeless individuals in the United States.

1990-1991

Resolved: that the United States Government should significantly increase space exploration beyond Earth’s mesosphere.

1989-1990

Resolved: That the federal government should adopt a nationwide policy to decrease overcrowding in prisons and jails in the United States.

1988-1989

Resolved: That the federal government should implement a comprehensive program to guarantee retirement security for United States citizens over age 65.

1987-1988

Resolved: That the United States government should adopt a policy to increase political stability in Latin America.

1986-1987

Resolved: That the federal government should implement a comprehensive long-term agricultural policy in the United States.

1985-1986

Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive national policy to protect the quality of water in the United States.

1984-1985

Resolved: That the federal government should provide employment for all employable U.S. Citizens living in poverty.

1983-1984

Resolved: That the United States should establish uniform rules governing the procedure of all criminal courts in the nation.

1982-1983

Resolved: That the United States should significantly curtail its arms sales to other countries.

1981-1982

Resolved: That the federal government should establish minimum educational standards for elementary and secondary schools in the United States.

1980-1981

Resolved: That the federal government should initiate and enforce safety guarantees on consumer goods.

1979-1980

Resolved: That the United States should significantly change its foreign trade policies.

1978-1979

Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive program to significantly increase the energy independence of the U.S.

1977-1978

Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive program to regulate the health care in the United States.

1976-1977

Resolved: That a comprehensive program of penal reform should be adopted throughout the United States.

1975-1976

Resolved: That the development and allocation of scarce world resources should be controlled by an international organization.

1974-1975

Resolved: That the United States should significantly change the method of selection of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

1973-1974

Resolved: That the federal government should guarantee a minimum annual income to each family unit.

1972-1973

Resolved: That governmental financial support for all public and secondary education in the United States be provided exclusively by the federal government.

1971-1972

Resolved: That the jury system in the United States should be significantly changed.

1970-1971

Resolved: That the federal government should establish, finance, and administer programs to control air and/or water pollution in the United States.

1969-1970

Resolved: That Congress should prohibit unilateral United States military intervention in foreign countries.

1968-1969

Resolved: That the United States should establish a system of compulsory service by all citizens.

1967-1968

Resolved: That Congress should establish uniform regulations to control criminal investigation procedures.

1966-1967

Resolved: That the foreign aid program of the United States should be limited to non-military assistance.

1965-1966

Resolved: That the federal government should adopt a program of compulsory arbitration in labor-management disputes in basic industries.

1964-1965

Resolved: That nuclear weapons should be controlled by an international organization.

1963-1964

Resolved: That Social Security benefits should be extended to include complete medical care.

1962-1963

Resolved: That the United States should promote a Common Market for the western hemisphere.

1961-1962

Resolved: That the federal government should equalize educational opportunity by means of grants to the states for public elementary and secondary education.

1960-1961

Resolved: That the United Nations should be significantly strengthened.

1959-1960

Resolved: That the federal government should substantially increase its regulation of labor unions.

1958-1959

Resolved: That the United States should adopt the essential feature of the British system of education.

1957-1958

Resolved: That the United States foreign aid should be substantially increased.

1956-1957

Resolved: That the federal government should sustain the prices of major agricultural products at not less than 90% of parity.

1955-1956

Resolved: That the government subsidies should be granted according to need to high school graduates who qualify for additional training.

1954-1955

Resolved: That the federal government should initiate a policy of free trade among nations friendly to the United States.

1953-1954

Resolved: That the President of the United States should be elected by the direct vote of the people.

1952-1953

Resolved: That the Atlantic pact nations should form a federal union.

1951-1952

Resolved: That all American citizens should be subject to conscription for essential service in time of war.

1950-1951

Resolved: That the American people should reject the Welfare state.

1949-1950

Resolved: That the President of the United States should be elected by the direct vote of the people.

1948-1949

Resolved: That a federal world government should be established.

1947-1948

Resolved: That the federal government should require arbitration of labor disputes in all basic industries.

1946-1947

Resolved: That the federal government should provide a system of complete Medical care available to all citizens at public expense.

1945-1946

Resolved: That ever able-bodied male citizen of the United States should have one year of full time military training before attaining age 24.

1944-1945

Resolved: That the legal voting age should be reduced to eighteen years.

1943-1944

Resolved: That the United States should join in reconstituting the League of Nations.

1942-1943

Resolved: That a federal world government should be established.

1941-1942

Resolved: That every able-bodied male citizen in the United States should be required to have one year of full-time military training before attaining the present draft age.

1940-1941

Resolved: That the power of the federal government should be increased.

1939-1940

Resolved: That the federal government should own and operate the railroads.

1938-1939

Resolved: That the United States should establish an alliance with Great Britain.

1937-1938

Resolved: That the several states should adopt a unicameral system of legislation.

1936-1937

Resolved: That all electric utilities should be governmentally owned and operated.

1935-1936

Resolved: That the several states should enact legislation providing for a system of complete medical service available to all citizens at public expense.

1934-1935

Resolved: That the federal government should adopt the policy of equalizing educational opportunity throughout the nation by means of annual grants to the several states for public elementary and secondary education.

1933-1934

Resolved: That the United States should adopt the essential features of the British system of radio control and operation.

1932-1933

Resolved: That at least one half of all state and local revenues should be derived from sources other than tangible property.

1931-1932

Resolved: That the several states should enact legislation providing for compulsory unemployment insurance.

1930-1931

Resolved: That chain stores are detrimental to the best interests of the American public.

1929-1930

Resolved: That installment buying of personal property as now practiced in the United States is both socially and economically desirable.

1928-1929

Resolved: That the English cabinet method of legislation is more efficient than the committee system is in the United States.

1927-1928

Resolved: That a federal department of education should be created with a secretary in the president’s cabinet.

Topic Release Schedule

Topic Release Schedule - Lincoln-Douglas Debate

The LD Wording Committee selects a number of debate resolutions and gathers feedback from the community during its summer meeting. The three topics that will be voted on for each topic cycle are released in June. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school will vote for each topic one week prior to the topic release date. Topic voting for the September/October topic opens July 25, and the topic will be announced August 1.

If you would like to submit an LD resolution for consideration, please submit by April 1 for the following school year.

In addition, we have established a separate LD resolution for the first two months of the novice season. Coaches are encouraged to check with tournament hosts in their area before exclusively prepping for one topic over another.

Topic Release Schedule - Public Forum Debate

The PF Wording Committee selects a number of debate resolutions and gathers feedback from the community during its summer meeting. The two topics that will be voted on for each topic cycle are released in June. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school will vote for each topic one week prior to the topic release date. Topic voting for the September/October topic opens July 25, and the topic will be announced August 1.

If you would like to submit a PF topic area or resolution for consideration, please submit by April 1 for the following school year.

The first two Public Forum topics are two-month topics in September/October and November/December, and then it reverts to a month-to-month topic. This schedule benefits novices who have more time to learn and improve their skills without switching topics.

Topic Release Schedule - Policy Debate

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) handles selection of the annual topic. Each state organization, the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL), and the National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) all have voting privileges. The national office submits one vote on behalf of the NSDA. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school may cast a ballot online during September and October, ranking five preliminary topics. In November and December, member students and one chapter advisor per active school then select one of two final topics. The national office tallies the results and submits one vote to the NFHS. The new topic is announced in early January.

Topic Release Schedule - Big Questions Debate

Potential Big Questions debate topics are suggested by the national office. Member students and one chapter advisor per active school vote on the proposed topics July 25-31. The new topic is released on August 1 at 9:00 a.m. CT and used for the entire year. Learn more about Big Questions »

Topic Release Schedule - Congressional Debate

Beginning with the 2022 National Tournament, any high school or middle school NSDA member student may submit legislation to be considered for the National Tournament Docket (multiple submissions welcome). The legislation will not be tied to a student, school, or district at Nationals. The Board approved this new process at the November 16 Competition Rules Board Meeting, changing how National Tournament Congressional Debate legislation is collected for the tournament. The goal is to open the door to more submissions, more diverse topics, and more student input. Legislation is due February 5. The students who author legislation selected for use during the National Tournament will be recognized as part of the tournament proceedings. Learn more »