Congressional Debate
Congress is ideal for students who are interested in lawmaking, policy, and persuasive public speaking. Competitors must prepare for multiple topics, extend debates with new analysis, and refute opposing arguments effectively. A successful debater brings strong research, logical reasoning, effective note-taking, and a confident speaking style, while also demonstrating collaboration and respect within a group setting.
Congressional Debate suits students who are analytical, persuasive, engaged with current issues, and eager to develop a deeper understanding of the legislative process.
Compete
- What to Expect Competing in Congressional Debate
- Public Forum and Congressional Debate Textbook
- Champion Q+A – Fadhil Lawal
- Writing Effective Legislation
- Congressional Debate – Legislation Templates
- Congressional Debate – Frequently Used Motions
- How to Serve as a Parliamentarian in Congressional Debate
- Congressional Debate Round Intro
- Congressional Debate Demo Round
- Congressional Debate Practice Drills
- Congress Placard Template
Judge
- Level 1: Intro to Impartial Judging
- Level 1: Intro to Judging Debate
- Level 1: Intro to Judging Congress
- Level 2: Judging Congressional Debate
- Level 3: Advanced Skills for Judging Debate
- Congressional Debate Judging Forms
- Congressional Debate Ballot (Invitational) – Blank
- Congressional Debate Ballot (Districts) – Blank
Final Round Videos
- 2025 - 2026
- 2024 - 2025
- 2023 - 2024
- 2022 - 2023
- 2021 - 2022
- 2020 - 2021
- 2019 - 2020
- 2018 - 2019
- 2017 - 2018
- 2016 - 2017
- 2015 - 2016
- Misc
2016
- Congress Legislation – 2016 September
- Congress Legislation – 2016 October
- Congress Legislation – 2016 November
- Congress Legislation – 2016 December
2017
- Congress Legislation – 2017 January
- Congress Legislation – 2017 February
- Congress Legislation – 2017 March
- Congress Legislation – 2017 April
- Congress Legislation – 2017 May
2015
- Congress Legislation – 2015 September
- Congress Legislation – 2015 October
- Congress Legislation – 2015 November
- Congress Legislation – 2015 December
2016
- Congress Legislation – 2016 January
- Congress Legislation – 2016 February
- Congress Legislation – 2016 March
- Congress Legislation – 2016 April
- Congress Legislation – 2016 May
Congressional Debate is an exercise in leadership. It’s a political game where your fellow students can have as much influence on the outcome of the round as your judges. You’re rewarded for taking risks; one cannot simply fade into the background and expect to succeed. It’s these exact skills that translate into success later in life—those who think a little bit differently are those who make permanent change in the world.
Congressional Debate
CON • High School Main Event • Middle School Main Event
Congressional Debate (CON) is a group debate event simulating the U.S. legislative process. Students meet in chambers of approximately 10 to 25 participants and debate legislation over a session typically lasting two to three hours. Speeches are up to three minutes in length followed by a questioning period. An elected student participant serves as the presiding officer, managing the flow of debate using parliamentary procedure.