January/February - Resolved: The appropriation of outer space by private entities is unjust.
November/December - Resolved: A just government ought to recognize an unconditional right of workers to strike.
September/October – Resolved: The member nations of the World Trade Organization ought to reduce intellectual property protections for medicines.
2020-2021
Nationals – Resolved: A public health emergency justifies limiting civil liberties.
March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal child care.
January/February – Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons.
November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to provide a federal jobs guarantee.
September/October – Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.
2019-2020
Nationals – Resolved: The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy.
March/April – Resolved: Predictive policing is unjust.
January/February – Resolved: States ought to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.
November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to eliminate subsidies for fossil fuels.
September/October – Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities ought not consider standardized tests in undergraduate admissions decisions.
2018-2019
Nationals – Resolved: Violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
March/April – Resolved: The illegal use of drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice.
January/February – Resolved: The United States ought not provide military aid to authoritarian regimes.
November/December – Resolved: In a democracy, the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
September/October – Resolved: In the United States, reporters ought to have the right to protect the identity of confidential sources.
2017-2018
Nationals – Resolved: The United States’ use of targeted killing in foreign countries is unjust.
March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.
January/February- Resolved: Plea bargaining ought to be abolished in the United States criminal justice system.
November/December – Resolved: Wealthy nations have an obligation to provide development assistance to other nations.
September/October – Resolved: In the United States, national service ought to be compulsory.
2016-2017
Nationals – Resolved: A just government ought to prioritize civil liberties over national security.
March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.
January/February – Resolved: Public colleges and universities in the United States ought not restrict any constitutionally protected speech.
November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to limit qualified immunity for police officers.
September/October – Resolved: Countries ought to prohibit the production of nuclear power.
2015-2016
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Immigration ought to be recognized as a human right.
March/April – Resolved: The United States ought to promote democracy in the Middle East.
January/February – Resolved: In the United States, private ownership of handguns ought to be banned.
November/December – Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, jury nullification ought to be used in the face of perceived injustice.
September/October – Resolved: Adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices.
2014-2015
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Inaction in the face of injustice makes individuals morally culpable.
March/April – Resolved: Just governments ought to ensure food security for their citizens.
January/February – Resolved: Just governments ought to require that employers pay a living wage.
November/December – Resolved: The “right to be forgotten” from Internet searches ought to be a civil right.
September/October – Resolved: A just society ought to presume consent for organ procurement from the deceased.
2013-2014
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The United States ought to prioritize the pursuit of national security objectives above the digital privacy of its citizens.
March/April – Resolved: Placing political conditions on humanitarian aid to foreign countries is unjust.
January/February – Resolved: Developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over resource extraction when the two are in conflict.
November/December – Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, truth-seeking ought to take precedence over attorney-client privilege.
September/October – Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.
2012-2013
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Oppressive government is more desirable than no government.
March/April – Resolved: The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses.
January/February – Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system.
November/December – Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens.
September/October – Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.
2011-2012
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens.
March/April – Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.
January/February – Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.
November/December – Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.
September/October – Resolved: Justice requires the recognition of animal rights.
2010-2011
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: When forced to choose, a just government ought to prioritize universal human rights over its national interest.
March/April – Resolved: The United States is justified in using private military firms abroad to pursue its military objectives.
January/February – Resolved: In the United States, juveniles charged with violent felonies ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.
November/December – Resolved: The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice.
September/October – Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons.
2009-2010
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Compulsory inclusion of non-felons’ DNA in any government database is unjust.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: That the United States government has a moral obligation to afford the same constitutional rights to all people on United States soil.
March/April – Resolved: In the United States, the principle of jury nullification is a just check on government.
January/February – Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy objectives.
November/December – Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.
September/October – Resolved: Public High school students in the United States ought not be required to pass standardized exit exams to graduate.
2008-2009
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Military conscription is unjust.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: When in conflict, the preservation of minority cultural values ought to be valued above the preservation of a unified national culture.
March/April – Resolved: Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law.
January/February – Resolved: The United States ought to submit to the jurisdiction of an international court designed to prosecute crimes against humanity.
November/December – Resolved: In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote.
September/October – Resolved: It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people.
2007-2008
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Limiting economic inequality ought to be a more important social goal than maximizing economic freedom.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: That secondary education in America should value the fine arts over athletics.
March/April – Resolved: Hate crime enhancements are unjust in the United States.
January/February – Resolved: It is just for the United States to use military force to prevent the acquisition of nuclear weapons by nations that pose a military threat.
November/December – Resolved: In the United States, plea-bargaining in exchange for testimony is unjust.
September/October – Resolved: A just society ought not use the death penalty as a form of punishment.
2006-2007
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: On balance, violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: That judicial activism is unjust in a democracy.
March/April – Resolved: The United Nations’ obligation to protect global human rights ought to be valued above its obligation to respect national sovereignty.
January/February – Resolved: The actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals.
November/December – Resolved: A victim’s deliberate use of deadly force is a just response to repeated domestic violence.
September/October – Resolved: A just government should provide health care to its citizens.
2005-2006
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: In matters of collecting military intelligence, the ends justify the means.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: When in conflict, an individual’s freedom of speech should be valued above a community’s moral standards.
March/April – Resolved: Juveniles charged with violent crimes should be tried and punished as adults.
January/February – Resolved: The use of the state’s power of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is unjust.
November/December – Resolved: Judicial activism is necessary to protect the rights of American citizens.
September/October – Resolved: In matters of U.S. immigration policy, restrictions on the rights of non-citizens are consistent with democratic ideals.
2004-2005
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: the pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be constrained by concern for societal good.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: the primary purpose of formal education ought to be to impart knowledge.
March/April – Resolved: to better protect civil liberties, community standards ought to take precedence over conflicting national standards.
January/February – Resolved: democracy is best served by strict separation of church and state.
November/December – Resolved: the United States has a moral obligation to promote democratic ideals in other nations.
September/October – Resolved: individual claims of privacy ought to be valued above competing claims of societal welfare.
2003-2004
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: a nation’s citizens’ rights ought to take precedence over its security.
March/April – Resolved: as a general principle, individuals have an obligation to value the common good above their own interests.
January/February – Resolved: a government’s obligation to protect the environment ought to take precedence over its obligation to promote economic development.
November/December – Resolved: the U.S. has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts.
September/October – Resolved: in the U.S. judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privileged communication.
2002-2003
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: rehabilitation ought to be valued above punishment in the U.S. criminal justice system.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: capitalism is the most just economic system.
March/April – Resolved: when in conflict, the letter of the law ought to take priority over the spirit of the law.
January/February – Resolved: when in conflict, globalization ought to be valued above national sovereignty.
November/December – Resolved: when in conflict, academic freedom in U.S. high schools ought to be valued above community standards.
September/October – Resolved: when the United States is engaged in military conflict, the demands of national security ought to supersede conflicting claims of individual rights.
2001-2002
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: laws which protect citizens from themselves are justified.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: the people’s right to know outweighs the government’s need for confidentiality.
March/April – Resolved: limiting the freedom of expression of adults is justified by society’s interest in protecting children.
January/February – Resolved: oppressive government is more desirable than no government.
November/December – Resolved: a lesser developed nation’s right to develop ought to take priority over its obligation to protect the environment.
September/October – Resolved: decentralized governmental power ought to be a fundamental goal of democratic society.
2000-2001
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: on balance, violent revolution is a just response to oppression.
NCFL Nationals – Resolved: providing for basic human needs of citizens in a society ought to be valued above individual property rights.
March/April – Resolved: the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
January/February – Resolved: the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
November/December – Resolved: establishing a safe educational environment in grades K-12 justifies infringement of students’ civil liberties.
September/October – Resolved: colleges and universities have a moral obligation to prohibit the public expression of hate speech on their campuses.
2021-2022
January – Resolved: The United States federal government should legalize all illicit drugs.
November/December – Resolved: Increased United States federal regulation of cryptocurrency transactions and/or assets will produce more benefits than harms.
September/October – Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should substantially increase its defense commitments to the Baltic states.
2020-2021
Nationals – Resolved: In the United States, social media is beneficial for democratic values.
April – Resolved: The benefits of the International Monetary Fund outweigh the harms.
March – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of creating the United States Space Force outweigh the harms.
February – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweigh the harms.
January – Resolved: The National Security Agency should end its surveillance of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
November/December – Resolved: The United States should adopt a declaratory nuclear policy of no first use.
September/October – Resolved: The United States federal government should enact the Medicare-For-All Act of 2019.
2019-2020
Nationals – Resolved: On balance, charter schools are beneficial to the quality of education in the United States.
April – Resolved: The United States should remove nearly all of its military presence in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.
March – Resolved: The United States should increase its use of nuclear energy for commercial energy production.
February – Resolved: The United States should replace means-tested welfare programs with a universal basic income.
January – Resolved: The United States should end its economic sanctions against Venezuela.
November/December – Resolved: The benefits of the United States federal government’s use of offensive cyber operations outweigh the harms.
September/October – Resolved: The European Union should join the Belt and Road Initiative.
2018-2019
Nationals – Resolved: The United States federal government should enforce antitrust regulations on technology giants.
April – Resolved: The United Nations should grant India permanent membership on the Security Council.
March – Resolved: The United States should promote the development of market rate housing in urban neighborhoods.
February – Resolved: The United States should end its arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
January – Resolved: The United States federal government should prioritize reducing the federal debt over promoting economic growth.
November/December – Resolved: The United States federal government should impose price controls on the pharmaceutical industry.
September/October – Resolved: The United States should accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea without reservations.
2017-2018
Nationals – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of United States participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement outweigh the consequences.
April – Resolved: The United States federal government should increase its quota of H-1B visas.
March – Resolved: On balance, the current Authorization for Use of Military Force gives too much power to the president.
February – Resolved: The United States should abolish the capital gains tax.
January – Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.
December – Resolved: NCAA student athletes ought to be recognized as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
November – Resolved: The United States should require universal background checks for all gun sales and transfers of ownership.
September/October – Resolved: Deployment of anti-missile systems is in South Korea’s best interest.
2016-2017
Nationals – Resolved: In East Africa, the United States federal government should prioritize its counterterrorism efforts over its humanitarian assistance.
April – Resolved: The United States ought to replace the Electoral College with a direct national popular vote.
March – Resolved: The United States should no longer pressure Israel to work toward a two-state solution.
February – Resolved: The United States should lift its embargo against Cuba.
January – Resolved: In order to better respond to international conflicts, the United States should significantly increase its military spending.
December – Resolved: The United States should end Plan Colombia.
November – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of the Internet of Things outweigh the harms of decreased personal privacy.
September/October – Resolved: In United States public K-12 schools, the probable cause standard ought to apply to searches of students.
2015-2016
National Speech & Debate Tournament – On balance, a one-day national primary would be more beneficial for the United States than our current presidential primary process.
April – Resolved: To alleviate income inequality in the United States, increased spending on public infrastructure should be prioritized over increased spending on means-tested welfare programs.
March – Resolved: The United States should withdraw its military presence from Okinawa.
February – Resolved: The United States federal government should adopt a carbon tax.
January – Resolved: On balance, economic sanctions are reducing the threat Russia poses to Western interests.
December – Resolved: On balance, standardized testing is beneficial to K-12 education in the United States.
November – Resolved: In response to the current crisis, a government should prioritize the humanitarian needs of refugees over its national interests.
September/October – Resolved: The United States Federal Government ought to pay reparations to African Americans.
2014-2015
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The benefits of First Amendment protection of anonymous speech outweigh the harms.
April – Resolved: Committing United States ground combat troops to fight ISIL is in the best interest of the United States.
March – Resolved: In the United States, students should be guaranteed two years of free tuition to a community or technical college.
February – Resolved: On balance, economic globalization benefits worldwide poverty reduction.
January – Resolved: United Nations peacekeepers should have the power to engage in offensive operations.
December – Resolved: For-profit prisons in the United States should be banned.
November – Resolved: On balance, the benefits of genetically modified foods outweigh the harms.
September/October – Resolved: On balance, public subsidies for professional athletic organizations in the United States benefit their local communities.
2013-2014
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: NATO should strengthen its relationship with Ukraine in order to deter further Russian aggression.
April – Resolved: Prioritizing economic development over environmental protection is in the best interest of the people of India.
March – Resolved: Single-gender classrooms would improve the quality of education in American public schools.
February – Resolved: The Supreme Court rightly decided that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act violated the Constitution.
January – Resolved: Development assistance should be prioritized over military aid in the Sahel region of Africa.
December – Resolved: Immigration reform should include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
November – Resolved: The benefits of domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency outweigh the harms.
September/October – Resolved: Unilateral military force by the United States is justified to prevent nuclear proliferation.
2012-2013
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: The benefits of American drone strikes against foreign targets outweigh the harms.
April – Resolved: The continuation of current U.S. anti-drug policies in Latin America will do more harm than good.
March – Resolved: The U.S. government should not require its citizens to have health insurance.
February – Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States.
January – Resolved: On balance, the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission harms the election process.
December – Resolved: The United States should prioritize tax increases over spending cuts.
November – Resolved – Current U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East undermines our national security.
October – Resolved: Developed countries have a moral obligation to mitigate the effects of climate change.
September – Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.
2011-2012
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: Stand Your Ground laws are a legitimate expansion of the doctrine of self defense.
April – Resolved: State mandated administration of childhood vaccinations is justified.
March – Resolved: The United States should suspend all assistance to Pakistan.
February – Resolved: Birthright citizenship should be abolished in the United States.
January – Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.
December – Resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals.
November – Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.
October – Resolved: Private sector investment in human space exploration is preferable to public sector investment.
September – Resolved: The benefits of post-9/11 security measures outweigh the harms to personal freedom.
2010-2011
National Speech & Debate Tournament – Resolved: That the United States should intervene in another nation’s struggle for democracy.
April – Resolved: The United States federal government should permit the use of financial incentives to encourage organ donation.
March – Resolved: North Korea poses a more serious threat to United States national security than Iran.
February – Resolved: Wikileaks is a threat to United States national security.
January – Resolved: In the United States, plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system.
December – Resolved: Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense.
November – Resolved: High school Public Forum Debate resolutions should not confront sensitive religious issues.
October – Resolved: NATO presence improves the lives of Afghan citizens.
September – Resolved: Allowing deep water offshore oil drilling is in the best interest of the United States.
2021-2022
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.
2020-2021
Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing.
2019-2020
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce Direct Commercial Sales and/or Foreign Military Sales of arms from the United States.
2018-2019
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its restrictions on legal immigration to the United States.
2017-2018
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.
2016-2017
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.
2015-2016
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.
2014-2015
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth’s oceans.
2013-2014
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela.
2012-2013
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.
2011-2012
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its exploration and/or development of space beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.
2010-2011
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey.
2009-2010
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.
2008-2009
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.
2007-2008
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.
2006-2007
Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one or more of the following national service programs: AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, Senior Corps, Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America, Armed Forces.
2005-2006
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially decrease its authority either to detain without charge or to search without probable cause.
2004-2005
Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy substantially increasing its support of United Nations peacekeeping operations.
2003-2004
Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine natural resources.
2002-2003
Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially increase public health services for mental health care in the United States.
2001-2002
Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy significantly limiting the use of weapons of mass destruction.
2000-2001
Resolved: That the United States federal government should significantly increase protection of privacy in the United States in one or more of the following areas: employment, medical records, consumer information, search and seizure.
