03 - Debate Topics (Updated 2/3 @ 3:35 PM)

Congressional Debate: We will follow the Spring 2026 Region 04 Congressional Debate Scaffold in the following order:

• Prelims: 6, 10, 8, 9, 7
• Semis: 11, 13, 12,14, 15
• Finals: 18, 20, 19, 17, 16

Chambers will not be able to table items or end debate on an item unless there is at least 1 cycle of debate. If items have more than 3 speeches in a row on the same side, then the debate must move to previous question automatically. Chambers may not amend the docket.

Lincoln Douglas Debate: Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.

Policy Debate: Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

Public Forum Debate: Resolved: The Federal Trade Commission should establish a federal regulatory framework for sports betting.

World Schools Debate:

• Round 1: Impromptu
• Round 2: This House believes that charter schools have done more harm than good to the education system.
  Info Slide: A charter school is a school that receives government funding but operates independently of the established state school system in which it is located. It is independent in the sense that it operates according to the basic principle of autonomy for accountability, that it is freed from the rules but accountable for results.
• Round 3: This House believes that charter schools have done more harm than good to the education system.
  Info Slide: A charter school is a school that receives government funding but operates independently of the established state school system in which it is located. It is independent in the sense that it operates according to the basic principle of autonomy for accountability, that it is freed from the rules but accountable for results.
• Round 4: Impromptu
• FINALS: This House believes that the African Union should prioritize strengthening regional alliances as opposed to continental unification.
  Info Slide: Regional alliances refer to cooperative blocs among nearby African nations (such as ECOWAS, SADC, or the East African Community) that coordinate on security, trade, and political issues within a specific sub-region. Continental unification refers to broader, Africa-wide integration efforts (similar to the structure of the EU) that aim to centralize political decision-making, harmonize institutions, or move toward continent-wide economic or political union.

NX Topic Areas: Mix of topics from DX/FX

DX Topic Areas:

• Prelim 1 - US Social Issues
• Prelim 2 - US Politics
• Prelim 3 - The Trump Administration
• Semis - US Foreign Policy
• Finals - The Economy

FX Topic Areas:

• Prelim 1 - Africa
• Prelim 2 - The Middle East
• Prelim 3 - Latin America
• Semis - Europe
• Finals - Asia