District I Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking Prelims

1. How has the Trump administration rolled back environmental regulations and hindered renewable energy development?

2. Why is there a decline in trust in the medical system across the United States?

3. Why was journalist Don Lemon in the news himself recently?

4. What is the mystery of Havanna Syndrome?

5. How is the United States responding to the demand for power for data centers servicing the artificial intelligence revolution?

6. How did Amazon overtake Wal-Mart in annual sales?

7. What was the recent impact on West Texas by the Texas Panhandle fires?

8. How has Prince Andrew’s arrest and investigation affected the British royal family?

9. Why is there concern about the Amnesty Bill Venezuela recently passed?

10. What are Jasmine Crockett’s future political plans?

11. What were the highlights of President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address?

12. How can the true cost of an AI data center be turned into a benefit through integrated land policy?

13. Why are Houston petro-giants reluctant to reinvest in Venezuelan’s oil infrastructure?

14. How can Germany spur growth in its economy?

15. What was the recent outcome of Senator Mark Kelly's lawsuit against Secretary Hegseth?

16. How can America’s health costs be lowered?

17. What were the key primary races of the recent Texas elections?

18. What was the actual state of Iran's nuclear weapon program before the US-Israeli strikes?

19. What is the current status of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission?

20. What were the highlights from the 2026 Winter Games and Olympics?

Informative Speaking Finals  

1. What was President Trump’s rationale for launching strikes on Iran?

2. Who are the leading candidates in the current California gubernatorial race?

3. How will rising oil price affect the American affordability crisis?

4. What is the Shield of America’s initiative?

5. How have Russia and China reacted to U.S. attacks on Iran?

6. What are the environmental risks associated with efforts to increase Alaska’s petroleum production?

7. Why have Iranians been discontent with their current government that led to protests?

8. How have Mexico’s political leaders responded to recent cartel violence?

9. What is the current state of trade relations between Canada and India?

10. What is the role of the European Union Parliament?

11. What has Narendra Modi accomplished as India’s leader?

12. What is Israel’s primary objectives during Operation Roaring Lion?

13. Who are the more powerful political leaders in sub-Saharan Africa?

14. What are Mike Huckabee’s more pressing challenges as the U.S. ambassador to Israel?

15. Why did the Republican National Committee (RNC) attempt to stop Virginia’s redistricting referendum?

16. How do filibuster rules impact the effectiveness of the U.S. Senate?

17. Why do Artificial Intelligence data centers require relatively high levels of energy?

18. Why is the SAVE America Act controversial?

19. What are the justifications offered by Texas lawmakers for the state’s public school cell phone policy?

20. What is the relationship between interest rates and inflation?

Persuasive Speaking Prelims

1. Has the federal government’s vaccine skepticism caused a decline in trust in the U.S. medical system?

2. Can President Trump legitimately claim victory on “affordability”?

3. Has Russia been assisting Iran with warfare information against the United States?

4. Should an African nation be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council?

5. Is China planning to increase aid to Africa following the United States reducing their aid to them?

6. Will the increased scrutiny of voter records by the Department of Homeland Security deter voters from participating in this year’s elections?

7. Is American support for Israel dividing factions of the Republican Party?

8. Has Marco Rubio proved to be an effective Secretary of State?

9. Is the U.S. economy headed for poor economic growth in 2026?

10. Will America make a positive impact through its foreign policy approach in Latin America?

11. Is America taking the information from the Epstein files seriously enough?

12. With the expiration of the last nuclear arms reduction treaties, is the United States in increased danger?

13. Is it wise for Texas to become the world’s largest AI data center market?

14. Can Mojtaba Khamenei rule effectively as supreme leader in Iran?

15. Is Corpus Christi headed toward a water catastrophe?

16. Would the American public benefit from expanded access to GLP-1 medications?

17. Was Don Lemon’s arrest an attack on the First Amendment?

18. Are AI Data centers resource-ravenous?

19. Is it in America’s best interest to take over Greenland?

20. Were the U.S. strikes on Iran justified?

Persuasive Speaking Finals

1. Should Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick resign?

2. Was it a mistake for the U.S. to withdraw from the WHO?

3. Are Democrats gaining confidence in their ability to retake the Senate in 2026?

4. What steps should the federal government take to better define the limits of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ability to use force?

5. Are religious persecution and human rights violations continuing in Venezuela even after the arrest of Nicolas Manduro?

6. Who is in the best position to successfully mediate between Thailand and Cambodia in their ongoing conflict?

7. Will the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” be good for middle class Americans?

8. Is Markwayne Mullin qualified to lead the US Department of Homeland Security?

9. Is James Talarico a “rising star” among Texas Democrats?

10. Is Mayor Mamdani effectively leading New York City?

11. Is the U.S. experiencing a troubling measles outbreak?

12. Does standardized testing play a vital role in U.S. public secondary schools?

13. In terms of U.S. space exploration objectives, are the benefits worth the risks?

14. Does fossil fuel use have a direct impact on air quality in major US cities?

15. Has the “Green New Deal” become a political relic?

16. Is shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz vital for international petroleum trade?

17. Is China’s international trade policy in a state of transition?

18. Will tariffs likely continue under the Trump Administration in spite of a recent Supreme Court ruling?

19. Do recent shifts on Wall Street suggest that stock market trends have become volatile?

20. Will cartel violence in Mexico have an adverse effect on the nation’s tourism industry?