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.