Invitational B Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking Prelims

1.         Why does the U.S. Constitution delegate election administration to the states rather than the federal government?

2.         Why has Spain decided to take a new approach to immigration?

3.         Why did Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney state that a “rupture” in world order has occurred?

4.         Which Texas Republicans in Congress are facing significant challenges for reelection in the midterms?

5.         What did we learn from Jack Smith’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee?

6.         What are the details of recent collegiate and professional sports betting scandals?

7.         What is the American Academy of Pediatrics official position regarding childhood vaccines?

8.         How are major European countries reacting to President Trump’s expressed interest in Greenland?

9.         What are pressing concerns facing Cuba’s current political leadership?

10.       How has Attorney General Pam Bondi reshaped the Department of Justice?

11.       How are transfer portals and NIL payments affecting intercollegiate athletics?

12.       What progress has the Texas State Board of Education made on the first-ever state mandated reading list for K-12?

13.       What regions of the United States have experienced dramatic weather conditions in 2026?

14.       Who received Time Magazine’s Person of the Year designation most recently and why?

15.       Why has the Trump administration launched “Project Vault”?

16.       How does coal use in China affect global air quality?

17.       Why is “affordability” the buzzword on main-stream news venues when making economic reports?

18.       What factors have contributed to massive layoffs in the tech sector of the US economy?

19.       What is the extent of Marco Rubio’s role regarding White House decision-making?

20.       What does the future hold in store for Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro?           

Informative Speaking Finals

1.         Why are Pakistanis fleeing their homes in the Tirah Valley?

2.         Why is there a water shortage issue at the Big Bend National Park?

3.         How was President Trump received at the 2026 Davos world economic forum? 

4.         What is Tom Homan’s role in the Trump administration? 

5.         What issues were raised at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland?

6.         What is the basis for President Trump’s interest in Greenland?

7.         What is the current financial status of U.S. rural hospitals?

8.         What are the more challenging issues facing the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice?

9.         What issues have prompted protests in Minnesota?

10.       What issue is Vice President Vance referring to when he mentions “engineered chaos?”

11.       What are the potential ramifications of a trade war between Colombia and Ecuador?

12.       How has Texas public school curriculum changed in the past year?

13.       What are NASA’s objectives regarding the Artemis II space mission?

14.       Why is Prime Minister Mark Carney advocating changes in Canada’s international trade policy?

15.       What was the impact of January’s winter storm Fern on the nation?

16.       Why did the United States withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?

17.       What are the more stable sectors of the U.S. economy?

18.       Why is Iowa often considered “ground-zero” for U.S. politics?

19.       How is the United States currently influencing political developments in Venezuela?

20.       What steps is China taking to improve its foreign trade engagement with major European nations?

Persuasive Speaking Prelims

1.         Is there any solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict?

2.         How tough of a political race is the Jasmine Crockett versus James Talarico one in the Texas U.S. Senateprimary?

3.         In terms of current U.S. immigration policy, are Kristi Noem and Tom Homan on the same page?

4.         Did President Trump face substantial Republican backlash regarding the death of Alex Pretti?

5.         Has political polarization become detrimental to democracy in the United States?

6.         Is the U.S. Federal Reserve Board truly independent from White House influence?

7.         Are social media apps addictive for American teenagers?

8.         Does organized labor have significant influence on U.S. voters?

9.         Has Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey become a nationally recognized political figure?

10.       Is President Trump’s claim that crime is at an all-time low valid?

11.       Are athletic programs an integral part of U.S. public secondary schools?

12.       Are online classes as effective as traditional classroom instruction for high school students?

13.       Has there been a major surge in sports betting integrity issues recently?

14.       Does STEM curriculum receive sufficient attention in Texas public schools?

15.       Are substantial risks involved in the reopening of the Three Mile Island nuclear power facility?

16.       Do solar flares have major effects on Earth? 

17.       Are Ethiopian leaders facing pressing challenges? 

18.       Are the prospects of peace in Ukraine hopeful?

19.       Should the United States attempt to increase its diplomatic engagement with South American nations?

20.       Are China and Canada becoming increasingly closer allies?

Persuasive Speaking Finals

1.         Should U.S. elections be nationalized?

2.         Are Russian citizens’ perception of the 4-year war in Ukraine favorable?

3.         Has Jeremy Raskin become one of President Trump’s more outspoken critics in Congress?

4.         Does Susie Wiles play a major role in White House decision-making?

5.         Is Governor Tim Walz effectively leading Minnesota?

6.         Are political divisions becoming increasingly more pronounced in Congress?

7.         Should commercial trucker drivers face stricter licensing requirements? 

8.         Are major human rights violations occurring in Nigeria?

9.         Is NATO in a profound state of transition?

10.       Are First Amendment rights currently at risk in the United States?

11.       Are U.S. public secondary schools relying too heavily on Internet technology for classroom instruction?

12.       Are Texas rural school districts heavily reliant on federal funding?

13.       In spite of risks, is human space flight in the best interest of mankind?

14.       Are inflated pharmaceutical drug prices necessary for promotion of research?

15.       Is fossil fuel use a major contributor to global climate change?

16.       Has the U.S. petroleum industry flourished under the Trump administration? 

17.       Is current U.S. tariff policy in the best interest of middle-class Americans?

18.       Unemployment or inflation: Which is of greater concern to White House economic planners?

19.       Were factors that prompted recent U.S. air strikes in Nigeria legitimate?

20.       Are trade relations between the United States and Canada deteriorating?