October 2025 Extemp Topics

BY NFHS ON October 30, 2025 | EXTEMP TOPICS, RESOURCES, SPEECH_DEBATE

NFHS Extemporaneous Speaking Topics
October 2025

Domestic 
Closed-Ended 

  1. Should the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reinstate the Fairness Doctrine?

  2. Will the deployment of the National Guard to some of the nation’s major cities produce a sustainable reduction in crime?

  3. Will America’s new efforts to police drug trafficking in the Caribbean have a tangible impact on the flow of drugs into the United States?

  4. Can the Pipeline Fund have an impact on Democratic Party successes in “down ballot” elections in the states?

  5. Is the United States losing the race to return to the Moon?

  6. Will revelations in Kamala Harris’ recent book help or hurt her prospects as a presidential candidate in 2028?

  7. Given recent pressures on the Federal Reserve, is the probability of significant interest rate reductions before the end of the year high?

  8. Is the New York City mayoral candidacy of Zohran Mamdani further dividing the Democratic Party?

  9. Should school administrators and university leaders be held responsible for statements made by their faculty in the classroom?

  10. Will the Searchlight Institute succeed in its efforts to pull the Democratic Party toward a more centrist outlook?

  11. Will Joe Manchin attempt a return to elected politics?

  12. With a Tik Tok deal concluded, can customers expect any changes in the service?

  13. Are social media influencers contributing to social disunity in the United States?

Open-Ended 

  1. What measures should college and university campuses take to improve the safety of visiting speakers?

  2. How will more restrictive rules regarding the H-1B visa impact America’s healthcare industry?

  3. What has caused the recent surge in enthusiasm for the WNBA?

  4. What steps can the federal government take to better combat food insecurity?

  5. How will new rules governing news gathering by Pentagon reporters impact the public’s perceptions of the US military?

  6. How will the Congressional redistricting efforts of several states impact the long-term balance of power in the House of Representatives?

  7. How will the Center for Disease Control (CDC)'s decision to delay the first dose of the MMR vaccine in children impact the containment of childhood diseases?

  8. What can the United States do to play a bigger role in the rare earth magnets business?

  9. How will the Disney Company respond to the sudden increase in cancellations of their streaming service?

  10. Why did Nvidia toss a financial lifeline to its rival, Intel?

  11. What steps can the federal government take to strengthen the agriculture industry?

  12. How will late night television transform over the next two years?

International 
Closed-Ended 

  1. Will Kenya’s use of antiterrorism courts to combat political dissent undermine the country’s democracy?

  2. Is the Shinawatra dynasty in Thailand at an end?

  3. Will US drug control activities in the Caribbean trigger armed conflict with Venezuela?

  4. Will the sentencing of Brazil’s former President, Jair Bolsonaro, bring renewed political instability to the country?

  5. Is Mark Carney improving Canada’s future economic prospects?

  6. Will Nepal’s lifting of its social media ban calm recent political conflict in the nation?

  7. Will recent recognition of a Palestinian State by various Western nations have any meaningful impact on the status of the ongoing Middle East conflict?

  8. Is NATO doing enough in response to Russian breaches of member nations’ airspace?

  9. Given the October 2025 referendum called by Republika Srpska over the verdict against Milorad Dodik, is Bosnia headed toward a constitutional split?

  10. Will Chinese automakers succeed in driving Western manufacturers from the market?

  11. Will the emerging Make England Great Again movement remake UK politics?

  12. Has the United Nations lost its relevance?

  13. Has Russia lost influence in the South Caucasus region?

Open-Ended 

  1. What can the Democratic Republic of Congo’s African neighbors do to curtail human rights abuses by the M23 rebels?

  2. How will closer relations between Canada and Mexico impact North American trade?

  3. What role should the United Nations play in regulating or restricting deep-sea mining?

  4. How will France’s ouster of its Prime Minister impact the leadership of President Macron?

  5. What actions would be required for Israel and Syria to achieve a lasting peace?

  6. How will Israel’s recent air strike in Qatar impact the Gulf state’s role as a peace broker in the region?

  7. How is the development of advanced drones impacting the global conduct of warfare?

  8. What message was sent by the joint appearance of Xi, Kim, and Putin at the recent 2025 Victory Day Parade in Beijing?

  9. How will the recent arrest and deportation of South Korean workers by the United States impact relations with their home country?

  10. What is allowing Russia’s strained economy to be sustained?

  11. What steps can the British government take to curtail rising food prices?

  12. What steps can Belarus take to slow its loss of independence to Russia?