Texas Middle School State Tournament
2025 — Dallas, TX/US
Debate Topics and Rules
Congressional Debate Docket
All items are from the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 TFA Dockets.
Prelim Session 1 (1:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Friday)
Fall #3 – A Resolution to Advocate for Elimination of Conditional Lending by the IMF to Promote Economic Stability and Social Welfare
Fall #23 – A Resolution to Repeal Section 702 of FISA to Increase International Individual Privacy
Spring #15 – A Bill to Remove Troops from South Korea
Spring #20 – A Bill to Establish a Cap-and-Trade Regulatory Framework
Prelim Session 2 (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Friday)
Fall #11 – A Bill to Mandate Ship Checkups to Combat Invasive Species
Fall #26 – A Resolution to Adopt a Nuclear No-First-Use Policy to Decrease the Threat of Nuclear War
Fall #12 – A Bill to Eradicate Employee Social Media Screening
Fall #17 – A Resolution to Amend the Constitution to Require a National Popular Vote for Constitutional Amendments
Final Session 1 (8:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday)
Fall #28 – A Resolution to Phase Out Asphalt and Establish Sustainable Alternatives to Combat Urban Heat Islands
Spring #17 – A Bill to Create Refugee Status for Venezuela Migrants
Spring #12 – Digital Legacy Act
Spring #6 – A Resolution to Enhance Mental Health Support
Final Session 2 (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday)
Fall #5 – A Bill to Reschedule Psychedelic Drugs to Increase Treatment Options
Spring #4 – Geothermal Fracking Initiative Act of 2025
Spring #7 – A Bill to Federally Regulate Cryptocurrencies
Spring #11 – A Bill to Mitigate Stand-Your-Ground Laws to Reduce Criminal Violence
Public Forum Debate
NSDA Times: 4-4-3-4-4-3-3-3-2-2, 3 minutes prep
Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan. (Nov-Dec 2024 topic)
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
NSDA Times: 6-3-7-3-4-6-3, 4 minutes prep
Resolved: The United States ought to require that workers receive a living wage. (Sept-Oct 2024 topic)
Policy Debate
Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks.
[We will use NSDA rules with abbreviated times: 6-2-4 with 7 minutes prep]
[DISCLOSURE WOULD BE DUE BY APRIL 11 WITH ANY SCHOOL ENTERING POLICY REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PLAN TEXT, ADVANTAGES, AND NEGATIVE POSITIONS. EVIDENCE CAN BE UPDATED WITHIN EXISTING ARGUMENTS. THE GOAL IS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO BE PREPARED TO DEBATE WITH SOME DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE. NO NEW CASES ALLOWED BEYOND DISCLOSURE DEADLINE.]
World Schools Debate
Motions:
Rounds 1 and 2—This House believes that the benefits of standardized testing outweigh the harms. (Teams will debate both sides.)
Round 3—Impromptu Motion
Round 4—Impromptu Motion
Quarterfinals —This House would implement a living wage.
Semifinals —Impromptu Motion
Finals—Prepared Motion (Winner of flip chooses one of the above prepared motions, loser chooses side.)
Times: Speaking and preparation times will be shortened for middle school students:
First Proposition: 6 minutes
First Opposition: 6 minutes
Second Proposition: 6 minutes
Second Opposition: 6 minutes
Third Proposition: 6 minutes
Third Opposition: 6 minutes
Opposition Reply: 3 minutes
Proposition Reply: 3 minutes
Teams will receive 45 minutes to prepare for impromptu rounds. However, teams do not receive prep time during WS debate rounds.
Rules: NSDA rules will be used.
In WS debate, students may not use electronic storage or retrieval devices. If a team uses electronic devices during a debate round or during an impromptu preparation period, they will automatically receive a loss for that round.
(Please note: A mobile phone in airplane mode can be used for timing only.)
During the preparation time for the impromptu rounds, students can have a dictionary and a one-volume encyclopedia or almanac. They cannot access the internet, text messages, or any previously-prepared materials, including speeches and flows from previous rounds. Additionally, they cannot consult anyone (coaches included) outside their 3-5 person team.