Key Links:

Guide to Being a Presiding Officer on Zoom

Changes to Citron Congress Circuit (Video)

Changes to Citron Congress Circuit (Google Slides)

NSDA Congressional Debate Guide

Congressional Debate Frequently Used Motions

Template for Writing NSDA Resolution

Template for Writing NSDA Bill

What is Congressional Debate?

Model Congress is like a simulation of the real United States legislature. A group of 8 – 10  students, called a Chamber, will compete in a legislative session. A series of bills and resolutions  will be proposed by students from various schools. Following each speech, competitors will be  able to pose questions of the speaker. Once debate is exhausted on a particular item, the  chamber will vote either to pass or fail the legislation, and debate moves on to the next item. 

Typically, one session of Congress lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. During that time, students  typically give speeches 3 minutes in length. First two speeches on a bill are followed by 2 minutes of cross examination, all other questioning periods are 1 minute.

Guide to Effective Speaking in Congressional Debate?

Speeches should be delivered extemporaneously, which means spoken spontaneously based  on an outline of notes, rather than recited word-for-word from a manuscript. To do this, a  speaker must be well researched and prepared with ideas before arriving at the contest. S/he  will develop specific arguments that refute (argue against) the opposition and introduce new  ideas and perspectives rebuilding his/her own side of debate, rather than simply repeating ideas  shared by speakers on the same side, or ignoring points raised by the opposing side.  Authorship speeches may be more scripted since they are guaranteed the first speech and have  no opposing arguments to refute. 

In refuting, speakers should refer to specific arguments made by peers and never attack the  individual (ad hominem fallacy). Be kind, generous and gracious with remarks, for example:  “While Sen. Smith’s argument to close the military base is well-intentioned…” It is also effective  to refer to general themes/threads made in arguments on a particular side, synthesizing and weighing the overall “big picture” impact. After debate gets one-sided, a speech of summation is  a welcome relief.  

Effective speeches that respond to other arguments made on legislation come as a result of  critical listening and taking notes —called flowing. Keeping track of arguments made on both  the affirmative and negative sides, and any proof or evidence that may be questionable, is the  only way to keep debate dynamic or interactive.

Speech Organization

1. Introduction (15 to 30 seconds) 

1.1. Relate the speech to ideas that are, or might be, brought to the floor for debate.

1.1.1.Use a quotation; and/or 

1.1.2.Use an analogy; and/or 

1.1.3.Use statistics to raise awareness of a problem. 

1.2. State purpose/thesis (about 10 seconds) 

2. Body (approximately 2 minutes) 

2.1. Each claim you make (whether constructive or refuting the opposition) should be  supported with analytical reasoning and/or evidence with a good combination of  quantitative statistics or facts, and qualitative case studies and quotations from  experts. Be sure to state the importance, or impact that claim has for the overall topic  of debate and why it supports or opposes those views.  

2.2. Give two to three meaningful arguments. 

3. Conclusion (about 30 seconds) 

3.1. State primary points and issues 

3.2. Summarize key arguments

Questioning

Asking questions helps clarify confusing points in debate and shows a genuine interest in what  other speakers are saying. Students are given 30 second blocks of time to ask questions of the speaker. Make sure to ask a short question maybe 5 to 10 seconds. Judges will look for quality of questions

Answering questions well shows a judge the speaker can defend his/her  arguments and has sound knowledge of the topic. When answering, it’s best to succinctly  answer just the question—no more, no less. Do not avoid answering questions; give your best  effort, but if you don’t understand the question paraphrase by saying “what I think you’re asking  is…” and then answer. If you don’t know the answer to a question, redirect your answer to what  you do know about the topic. Additionally, when judges are determining who to rank, they may remember the questions that legislators asked during the session. The impact you have on the  judge is undeniable when both asking and answering questions. 

Key Terms

1. Setting the Docket – This is function is done during the first round of each Chamber.  Often Presiding Officers will put a proposed docket on the board. The members of the  Chamber may vote to accept the proposed docket or vote on a different docket. 

2. Motion to Modify the Docket - This motion may be made by any member of the  Chamber prior to initiation of debate on a new bill. This motion requires a second and a  majority vote by all the Members of the Chamber with tie breaker going to the Presiding  Officer. 

3. Motion the Previous Question – This is the motion to end debate on a bill. The  Senator will say, “I move the previous question.” This will require a second and then the  Presiding Officer will call for a vote. If vote successful then the session will vote on the  bill. 

4. Precedence and Recency – Standard rules require the presiding officer to choose  speakers who have spoken least (or not at all). The only exception to precedence is when a speaker has authorship privileges to legislation when it is introduced for debate.  In those cases, the presiding officer must recognize the author first. If no author is  present, selecting a sponsor is based on precedence.  

5. Leaving the Room (restroom, etc) – Legislator stands: “I rise to a point a personal  privilege, to leave the room. Or the chamber observes a motion for open chambers near the beginning of the round.