NFHS EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING TOPICS

February 2023

Domestic

Closed-Ended

1. Can George Santos weather the storm of controversy surrounding him and hold on to his Congressional seat?

2. Does New Mexico have a strong case for involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin?

3. Can the House Judiciary Committee overcome the Justice Department’s refusal to share information on its ongoing investigations with the body?

4. Will scrutiny over Joe Biden’s misplaced government documents cause the Justice Department to back-off on its investigation of Donald Trump?

5. Will Kevin McCarthy’s concessions to members of the Republican House Caucus prevent a timely deal to raise the debt ceiling?

6. Is the Space Launch System going to remain NASA’s go-to rocket for a return to the moon?

7. Will easing inflation lead the Federal Reserve to pump the brakes on increasing interest rates?

8. Can Illinois’ ban on high-power guns survive ongoing challenges in the courts?

9. Will the recent problems in America’s air transportation system help or hurt Pete Buttigieg’s career?

10. Can Democrats succeed in expanding automatic voter registration laws?

11. Can Donald Trump rely on evangelical Christians in the 2024 elections?

12. Should America end “tip customs” in restaurants by requiring restaurants pay servers normal, competitive wages?

Open-Ended

1. What must the United States Supreme Court do to improve its security against leaks?

2. What can the United States do to reverse the trend of declining population in America?

3. What must the White House do to resolve the looming debt ceiling crisis?

4. What steps should Joe Biden’s team take to minimize the political damage caused by the discovery of classified documents in his former offices and home?

5. How will Kevin McCarthy’s concessions to members of the Republican House Caucus impact his ability to lead?

6. What steps must Donald Trump take if he wishes to improve his standing in the polls?

7. What steps can Elon Musk take to reverse his declining business reputation?

8. What must Southwest Airlines do to rehabilitate its image with travelers?

9. How will ChatGPT impact America’s educational system?

10. Why are tech companies laying off so many workers?

11. What steps can states take to increase access to pregnancy and delivery support for poor families?

12. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, how will Republicans define their pro-life identity?

13. What is required to implement a successful national wastewater surveillance system?

International

Closed-Ended

1. Will Jacinda Ardern’s decision to resign her Prime Ministership due to burnout set an example for other world leaders?

2. Will Belarus join Russia in its war in Ukraine?

3. Will Prince Harry’s public statements destabilize the UK’s monarchy?

4. Is Israel’s democracy in jeopardy under the current governing coalition?

5. Will China’s rising COVID-19 case count result in a fresh backlash against the government?

6. Will Muhoozi Kainerugaba be his father’s successor in Uganda?

7. Can Brazil’s government hold Jair Bolsonaro accountable for his supporters’ attack on the key buildings in the Capital?

8. Can the United States and Mexico successfully collaborate to address the humanitarian crisis at their shared border?

9. Is it too late for China to reverse its declining population?

10. Will South Korea pursue the development of nuclear weapons?

11. Will the alliance between the Marcos and Duterte Philippine political families last long?

12. Is Russia’s war helping fuel India’s assent as a global power?

Open-Ended

1. What will be the consequences for South Africa of joining naval exercises with Russia and China?

2. What must Peru’s government do to quell violent protests there?

3. What can the world community do to counter the effects on global food supplies of the Russia-Ukraine war?

4. What steps can the Indian government take to strengthen its military cooperation with the United States?

5. What impact will America’s decision to call the Wagner Group a Transnational Criminal Organization have on the group?

6. How will the Church of England’s decision to bless LGBTQ unions impact the global Anglican Communion?

7. What will be the political consequences of Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise France’s retirement age?

8. How will Russia’s distraction in Ukraine impact the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict?

9. What must Rishni Sunak do to expedite the end to the UK dispute with the EU over Norther Ireland’s trade status?

10. What must Syria’s government do if it wishes to reconcile with Turkey?

11. What must Iran’s clerical leaders do to make sure that protests do not reignite?

12. What can the world community do to better protect global energy infrastructure?

13. How will NATO's decision to send tanks to Ukraine affect their conflict with Russia?

8. How will the emerging ruling coalition in Israel influence the military chain of command?

9. How will Iran’s decision to disband its morality police impact the widespread protests there?

10. What does the growth in cocaine production say about the effectiveness of the global war on drugs?

11. What steps can be taken to strengthen economic ties between China and Japan?

12. What must Britain’s Labour Party do if it wishes to secure new social rights for the British people?