Introduction to

Congressional Debate
Rhonda Smith
Good Legislation
• Debatable on both sides
• Interesting
• Encourages critical thinking
• Is current and fresh
• National jurisdiction
• Is written concisely and grammatically correct with clear intent
• Is the original work of the submitting school
Bill
If passed, a bill becomes law.
Details how a law will work including
• when it takes affect
• who enforces it
• how infractions are handled
• how it is funded
Resolution
A resolution is simply a statement of position on an issue, usually
that is not in the jurisdiction of Congress.

Examples: foreign issue, recommendation to another party,

encouraging/funding research

Includes scope of the problem along with the need for a solution
Constitutional Amendment
Proposes an amendment to the United State Constitution
Preparation
• Brainstorm arguments for legislation.
• Research – look for warrants to support ideas.
• Build files for each piece of legislation with arguments on both
sides of the issue.
• Practice rounds in class.
• Make outlines/notes for rounds
Contest
• Materials
• Dress
• Norms
Norms
• Be courteous.
• Stand to be recognized.
• Introduce self and ensure judges, PO and parliamentarian are ready before beginning.
• Use a legal pad for reference if needed.
• Refer to other competitors as Representative [last name].
• Use time wisely.
• Previous question should be called after everyone has had the opportunity to speak, time
has elapsed, or arguments are stale.
• Tabling legislation should be used for very limited purposes and not to deny legislators
the opportunity to speak on the legislation.
*Watch at least one round in class to give students the opportunity to know what to expect
so they will feel more comfortable.
Dress Appropriately
• Suits and Ties
• Shoes
• Skirts
• Hose
• Low Heel or Flat
• Color
• Jewelry
• Hair
Materials in round
• Placard
• Precedence chart
• Legislation
• Charged computer
• Outlines and legal pad
• Pens
• Table of Motions
• Gavel if planning to run for PO
• Robert’s Rules of Order/Rules
Rules
• Disable WiFi
• If used, visual aids must be left for the chamber throughout the
round and made available for use by all members.
• Congress rounds are open chamber, but students must motion
for personal privilege and receive permission from the PO.
Minimize time away from chamber. Do not interrupt speeches.
Overview of Competition
• Oath of office
• Rules of the day
• Agenda
• Presiding Officer auditions
• Round
Parliamentary Procedure
• Set the agenda
• Set the length of debate on each item
• Use motions to progress business and maintain fairness.
Roles
• Representative – competitors are recognized as representatives.
• Parliamentarian – ensures rules are procedures are followed
correctly
• Presiding Officer – responsible for ensuring the session runs
smoothly. Calls on speakers, keeps precedence, should be
familiar with parliamentary procedure and rules.
Presiding Officer (PO)
• Should be referred to as Madam/Mister Chair
• Gavel Signals cue representatives. It is recommended that the PO review their gavel
procedures after starting the session. Example: 1 strong tap = call meeting to order; also
used to end questioning time (presiding officer also may gesture a cue to questioners to be
seated as the speaker finishes answering the final question)
• Speech time signals:
• 1 tap when 1 minute remains
• 2 taps when 30 seconds remains
• 3 taps when 5 seconds remain
• Verbal stop when time has lapsed
• Representatives may appeal the decision of the chair, which requires a second and a
majority vote, but this action should be reserved for only the most egregious acts and
should always be preceded with the motion “point of order” to allow the chair the
opportunity to reconsider on his/her own. UIL Handbook
• Recognizes representatives for speeches/questions/motions
• Precedence number of opportunities to speak
• Recency who spoke first
• Before precedence is set, use geography of the chamber. That is,
s/he should not choose only from one location of the chamber
or from one school known to him/her or from one conference
known to him/her.
• After each speech, state the time for the speech and ask
questioners to rise.
• Follow the agenda set at the beginning of the round.
• Ensure order in the chamber through motions/seconds.
Voting Procedures
Maintain a count of votes (negative votes and abstentions are only counted for recorded
votes such as legislation).
• Voice Vote – "On the motion to [read the motion title] those in favor, say aye. (Pause)
Those opposed, say nay." If result is unclear or division of the chamber is called, a
standing vote is taken. Unrecorded vote
• Rising Vote "Those in favor of the motion to [read the motion title] will rise [Count vote.]
"Be seated. Those opposed will rise." [Count vote.] "Be seated." Calling for abstentions is
only necessary on main motions/legislation.
Announcing the Result: “On the motion to…”
• Voice Vote – "The ayes have it and the motion is adopted” or “This motion carries.” or
“This motion fails”
• Counted Rising Vote "With a vote of # in the affirmative and # in the negative, the
affirmative/opposition has it and the motion carries/fails."
• No amendment shall seek to alter the fundamental intent of the
legislation. There is no guarantee of a speech. Upon a one-third vote
of the chamber, a delegate may move the question, or the PO may
call for speeches in affirmation of the amendment. The amending
legislator is not guaranteed this privilege; it is based on precedence
and recency. Amendment speeches shall count toward precedence
and recency.
Parliamentarian
• Only intervenes when necessary.
• Considers amendments
• Amendments and amendments to amendments must be presented,
written on the appropriate form, to the Parliamentarian first, who shall
solely determine the appropriateness of the amendment offered. After
the Parliamentarian either approves or disapproves the amendment,
they will pass the amendment to the chair, who shall recognize the
author of the amendment at the earliest possible time for his/her
motion to amend.
Know the Rules
• Knowing how to follow parliamentary procedure will prevent
embarrassing mistakes.
• Practice this in class.
• Print and have accessible a Table of Frequently Used Motions.
• Read the rules – UIL/NSDA/TFA/etc. have minor rule
differences that can have big implications.
• Precedence – when to speak.
• Gavel signals for PO
Speeches
• Authorship/Sponsorship 3 minutes w/ 2 minutes of direct
questioning
• Opposing speech – first one is 3 minutes w/2 minutes of direct
questioning

• All other speeches are 3 minutes with one minute of questioning

Speech Format
Introduction (15 to 30 seconds) includes AGD and preview of main points, usually two
is best.

Body (2:00 to 2:30) State main points beginning with a short thesis statement. Include
analytical and empirical evidence to warrant the claims made in each point. Both
quantitative statistics/facts and qualitative case studies are excellent to warrant
arguments. Be sure to state the importance/impact of the point and why it supports or
opposes the legislation being debated.

Conclusion (about 15 seconds) restate primary points and urge body to pass or fail the
legislation.
Asking Questions
• Ask meaningful questions.
• Establish a flow of questions that lead to a “climax” or overall
point.
• Keep questions short.
Answering Questions
• Be clear, concise and complete.
• Be professional.
• Citations
• Reference previous speakers
• Be truthful
Politicking
fairness
• Make friends – congressional debate is a social game.
• Be communicative – what do you want and why.
• Stay in the loop by going outside your comfort zone.
• Facebook groups and off-time meetings.
Non-verbals
• It starts when you get to tournament.
• How to begin. OWN IT!
• Facial expressions
• Gestures
• Movement
• Pay attention throughout round – prep before the round
• Leaving the chamber
• Respectfulness with personality v. aggression
• Appearance
Q and A