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MHS Congress Squad Meeting – 9-15-2014. Jennifer Lin. Welcome. What is Congressional Debate?. Legislation. Bills/Resolutions/Amendments. The Topic that you will be discussing Each tournament comes with a packet of at least 10 bills More depending on tournament
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MHS Congress Squad Meeting – 9-15-2014 Jennifer Lin
Bills/Resolutions/Amendments • The Topic that you will be discussing • Each tournament comes with a packet of at least 10 bills • More depending on tournament • You will most likely not debate every topic • Becomes a skill/strategy to know which bills to research
Bills • Calls for an action to bring upon something new • Includes many sections that defines the action being called for, who is in charge, and when the bill should go into effect. • Most common item for Debate
Resolutions • Calls for an action, or to reinstate something that hasn’t ben enforced • Include Whereas Clauses to explain reasons for affirming • The Resolved clause explains the plan of action. • Expect at least 2 per tournament
Amendments • Amend the US Constitution • Very rarely is it on the docket • My Opinion: The hardest items but the most fun, especially if you like US Governemnt. • Hard because it is difficult to find relevant evidence • These items will help you A LOT for US Gov because it allows you to get a better understanding about how our government works
Scenarios • ONLY in finals for Large tournaments such as Blue Key and Harvard • Utilizes a fake situation to draft bills and is debated with real facts • I will definitely cover Scenarios before Blue Key, STAY POSTED!
Presiding Officer Elections • The Chamber picks a presiding officer • PO Runs the Show • Gavel Procedures • 1 tap at 2 minutes • 2 taps at 2:30 • 3 taps at 2:55 • Lightly gavel at 3:05 to LOUD BANG at 3:10 • I will teach you how to PO later on as well
Docket Setting • Plan Agenda for Debate • TAKE PART!!! • Authorships go first before sponsorships before miscellaneous bills • The agenda adheres for the legislative day, unless amendments are made and approved.
Speeches • Each speech is 3 minutes • Aff-neg-aff-neg order • One minute questioning period afterward where EVERYONE can ask questions • EXCEPTION: First Aff and Neg get TWO minutes
Voting • Motion to Previous Question with 2/3 approval • PO Counts votes • PO ONLY votes in case of a tie • One man-one vote
Motions • Personal Privilege • Exit the chamber • Enter the Chamber • Address the Chamber • Previous Question • Open/Close Floor for ______Nominations • PO • Docket
Flowing • Taking Notes • ANALYZE YOUR ARGUMENTS BASED ON OTHERS – If you haven’t spoken • Record main points for Both sides to ask questions to speaker – If you have already spoken • I will teach you more later on
Research • Should be done at home • Have your sources downloaded so you can use in rounds • I recommend Dropbox since you can access it on any device without Wifi • NO WIFI IN ROUNDS • You can do some last minute reading in rounds if needed
Your Task • Develop a position on this topic: Should we help fight off ISIS, or should we not? • Research on claims and support for your arguments • Next week – Present your speech (ZERO STRESS GAURENTEE) • I am looking for • How you write • How you speak • How you research