Eye of the Tiger Invitational

2023 — Broomfield, CO/US

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Congress

Event Description:

Congressional Debate Rules (3A/4A/5A Event):
In Congressional Debate, students will debate legislation from a docket.

Legislation guidelines
Only legislation from the docket may be debated during a given session. New legislation may not be introduced during the session and legislation from other sessions may not be brought in for debate.
Selected legislation will provide an opportunity for a student from the submitting school to give an authorship speech.

A session is defined as including:
1. Minimum of an hour per round - more time will be given if possible. Average rounds are usually one hour and 15 minutes to one and a half hours.
2. 18 – 25 students per house.
3. Election of a presiding officer. The presiding officer must be elected with a majority of the vote. If one candidate does not receive a majority of votes, eliminate the candidate with the fewest votes and vote again. If candidates are tied for the fewest number of votes, vote to determine which of the tied candidates should remain in contention. Repeat this process until one candidate receives a majority of votes. In preliminary sessions, the presiding officers for both preliminary sessions will be voted on following the presiding officer trial period during the first preliminary session. Each presiding officer must receive the majority of the votes.
4. Resetting of precedence/recency.

Recognizing speakers
1. When more than one speaker seeks the floor, the presiding officer must follow the precedence/recency method:

a. First recognize students who have not spoken during the session.
b. Next recognize students who have spoken fewer times.
c. Then recognize students who spoke earlier (least recently).

2. Before precedence is established, the presiding officer should recognize students fairly and consistently. They may not link recognition of speakers to previous recognition of students asking questions, moving motions, or longest standing (standing time).
3. During any session, precedence/recency should not reset, to ensure that all students in a chamber have an equal opportunity to speak and receive evaluation from scorers. When a new session begins, precedence/recency will be reset along with a new seating chart, and election of a new presiding officer.
4. Before precedence is established, the presiding officer should explain their recognition process and it must be fair, consistent, and justifiable.
5. Scorers will include answers to questions when evaluating speeches.
6. A speaker may yield time on the floor during debate (for questions or clarifications) but that speaker will remain in control of their three minutes (see below regarding questioning).

D. Speeches introducing legislation are allotted up to three minutes, followed by two minutes of questioning by other delegates. A student from the school who wrote the legislation gets the privilege of recognition (called authorship), regardless of precedence; otherwise the presiding officer may recognize a “sponsor” from the chamber, provided this recognition follows the precedence guidelines above. Regardless, this speech of introduction must be followed by two minutes of questions. Should no student seek recognition for the authorship/sponsorship, the chamber will move to lay the legislation on the table until such time that a student is prepared to introduce it.
E. The first negative speech must be followed by two minutes of questions.
F. Following the first two speeches on legislation, the presiding officer will alternately recognize affirmative and negative speakers, who will address the chamber for up to three minutes, followed by one minute of questioning by other delegates. If no one wishes to oppose the preceding speaker, the presiding officer may recognize a speaker upholding the same side. When no one seeks the floor for debate, the presiding officer may ask the chamber if they are “ready for the question,” at which point, if there is no objection, voting may commence on the legislation itself. There is no “minimum cycle” rule; however, if debate gets “one-sided,” the chamber may decide to move the previous question.

1. In the event a student speaks on the opposite side of the one called for by the presiding officer and the error is not caught, the speaker shall be scored and the speech shall count in precedence, but the speaker must be penalized at least three points for not paying close attention to the flow of the debate.
2. In the event a student speaks on an item of legislation not currently being debated, said speech shall count in precedence, but zero points shall be awarded.

G. The presiding officer fairly and equitably recognizes members to ask questions following each speech. The presiding officer starts timing questioning periods when they have recognized the first questioner, and keeps the clock running continuously until the time has lapsed. Speakers are encouraged to ask brief questions and may only ask one question at a time. Two-part/multiple-part questions and direct questioning are not allowed. There is no formal “permission to preface;” however, presiding officers should discourage students from making statements as part of question, since that is an abusive use of the limited time available.
H. The presiding officer will pause briefly between speeches to recognize any motions from the floor; however, they should not call for motions (at the beginning of a session, the presiding officer should remind members to seek their attention between speeches).
J. Students should ask permission to leave and enter the chamber when it is in session (move for personal privilege); however, do not interrupt a speaker who is addressing the chamber.

Use of evidence
1. Visual aids are permitted in Congressional Debate, provided they do not require electronic retrieval devices in the chamber.
2. The use of internet enabled electronic devices is permitted. Students may not use the internet to gain help from coaches, other students, or any person, such that it would prevent the speech from being the original work of the competitor.

K. Electronic retrieval devices are allowed in rounds of competition where scripts and files are permitted. Please see the rules regarding laptop usage for further information and clarification. No one will be allowed to videotape, record, photograph or create audio recordings of students in rounds of competition without prior permission of the CHSAA.
L. Since the rules above ensure fairness for competition, they may not be suspended; the presiding officer should rule motions out of order; except to extend questioning and allow for open chambers.