National Forensic League Congressional Debate Order of Business The following is offered as a suggestion for the Order of Business at any Congressional Debate: 1. Call to order by the presiding officer 2. Pledge of Allegiance, opening comments and/or invocation 3. Oath of Office 4. Roll call of members and confirmation of seating charts 5. Special Orders a. Review of special rules b. Review of congress procedures c. Special announcements and questions 6. Election of presiding officer 7. Committee meetings (optional) and consideration of the agenda 8. Floor Debate on Bills/Resolutions 9. Selection of outstanding presiding officer(s) and/or legislators 10. Awards 11. Adjournment Presiding Officer: Steps for Opening a Session 1. If you give a candidacy speech for election, state that you will be fair and work to make time is best spent giving speeches. 2. After you are elected, say this session will come to order. State that you will use your best effort to recognize speakers around the chamber in a fair and balanced manner. If gaveling time signals have not been explained previously, demonstrate how you will conduct them. Explain procedures clearly ahead of time to save time later. Always stand when addressing the chamber (to project authority). Use a calm, controlled and caring voice to show a genuine interest in the chamber s business. 3. When you are ready to begin, say Who would like to sponsor the first item of legislation? When you recognize speakers, use the third person: The chair recognizes 4. When a speaker concludes, say Time of that speech was minutes and seconds. Questioners, please rise. Call on one legislator at a time, until the questioning period is over. You should keep track of questions to allow a fair distribution. 5. You may gesture for questioners to sit down when it is apparent time is running out. Afterwards, say The questioning period has concluded, and the speaker may be seated. 6. Those wishing to speak in opposition, please rise. Call on a speaker, using precedence and equity for all legislators. It is appropriate to first recognize speakers who have consecutively sought to speak earliest. 7. When you call on the last person seeking recognition to speak on a bill/resolution, say since this is the last senator/representative who wishes to speak on this issue, if no one objects following his/her speech, we will move to the immediate previous question following his/her speech. (That way, a separate vote to call previous question is unnecessary). 8. When it is time to debate the next legislation, say The next item of business is (say the legislation s title). Legislation should be considered in the order established on the agenda, unless it is laid on the table. Laying on the table should only be done to allow a legislator time to construct a speech to continue two-sided debate, or introduce new information. It should not be abused to allow another legislator an earlier opportunity to get to a later agenda item. Time and prudence is spent by the entire chamber to set a fair and balanced agenda to give everyone an equal opportunity to debate their own legislation, and attempts to circumvent this should not be allowed. 9. Use of the motion for previous question should be discouraged, particularly when legislators have something new to contribute to discussion. When debate or discussion becomes repetitive, allow the previous question without reservation. When debate becomes onesided, the previous question may be considered immediately, and should be encouraged. Version 1.0 Released February 3, 2010 1
National Forensic League Congressional Debate Presiding Officer: Motions and Voting Recognizing Members: (for speeches) "The chair recognizes [Sen./Rep. last name] or (for motions) State your point/question." Second: (if the chamber is silent) "Is there a second? Stating Motions: "It is moved and seconded that Taking Votes (use recorded votes for any votes requiring other than a majority for passage (a specific fraction of members), and for the main motion (legislation itself), since legislators voting records are ostensibly tracked by their constituents). All voting is done only be members present at the time the vote is taken. o Negative votes and abstentions are counted for majority votes; votes taken where a fraction of members are needed are based on those seated in the chamber at the beginning of the session, so counting nay votes and abstentions is unnecessary; however, never should an absentee or abstention be counted as a nay vote. o Voice Vote - "On the motion to [read the motion title] those in favor, say aye. (Pause) Those opposed, say no." If the result is not clear, especially evidenced by particularly loud members, or if a member moves for a Division of the vote, then a standing vote is taken. o Rising Vote (You may substitute raise hands ) "Those in favor of the motion to [read the motion title] will rise [or, "stand"]." [Count vote.] "Be seated. Those opposed will rise." [Count vote.] "Be seated." o Voting for individuals (presiding officer, awards) is done by secret ballot. Announcing the Result: On the motion to o Voice Vote - "The ayes have it and the motion is adopted [or "carried"]." Or, "The noes have it and the motion is lost." If you are unsure of the prevailing side, announce that you will take a rising vote (before someone asks for a division to save time). o Counted Rising Vote or Show of Hands Vote - "With a vote of 51 in the affirmative and 23 in the negative, the affirmative has it [or, there are two-thirds in the affirmative] and the motion is adopted." o Or, "There are 29 in the affirmative and 33 in the negative. The negative has it and the motion is lost." Discipline o Motion Not in Order "The chair rules that the motion is dilatory [or "not in order"] because..." o Member Out of Order (serious offense) "The member is out of order and will be seated. Legislators (Members of a Chamber) When referring to another legislator, state Representative (or Senator) [last name] from The correct way to obtain the floor is to rise immediately at the conclusion of the preceding speaker s remarks and say Mr./Madam President (or Mr./Madam Speaker). If another legislator is recognized, take your seat until he/she relinquishes the floor. It is unnecessary for speakers to state they yield to questions, because NFL rules conventionalize the period for questioning. The presiding officer who has a seating chart controls calling on questioners, however, a legislator may call for a suspension of the rules to allow for recognition by the speaker on the floor. Do not argue with presiding officers; they are elected by the chamber to run it, and their decisions should not be challenged unless they violate the rights of the assembly or its members. For significant errors: o o o Stand and say I rise to a point of order. After the presiding officer says state your point, reply by stating what you believe has been done wrong, and then site down. Until the presiding officer who may first confer with the parliamentarian answers, neither you nor any other member may say anything. If you still believe the presiding officer is wrong and the mistake should be corrected, rise and say I appeal the decision of the chair. This motion requires a second. There is no discussion, but the legislator making the motion may briefly explain why he/she thinks the presiding officer should be overruled. The presiding officer then takes the vote by saying those voting to sustain the presiding officer and those voting to overrule the presiding officer Once the vote has been taken and the results announced, the decision is irrevocable and no further discussion is permitted on the manner. Please see item 9, relative to conduct; and item 10, relative to what rules may not be suspended, under General Rules for Student Congress Debate. On Student Congress rules, the parliamentarian is the final authority, and he/she should correct any deviations from the rules, particularly when it affects competitive equity. Do not abuse the motion for previous question. The reason it requires a two-thirds vote is it limits the free expression rights of legislators in the chamber. While majority rules for actions an assembly takes, the rights of minority to engage their peers in discourse is the very foundation of our democracy. When a legislator moves the previous question immediately after speaking, it sends the message I gave a speech, and I don t care if others wish to have the same opportunity. Limiting other contestants opportunities to engage in debate by suspending rules to alter the agenda, or by laying legislation on the table is even worse, and should be discouraged by presiding officers. If debate truly gets one-sided and repetitive, that is the only true purpose of the Previous Question. Version 1.0 Released February 3, 2010 2
Table of Parliamentary Motions Following is the National Forensic League s motion chart, annotated (non-shaded) to show motions used most often. Table of Most Frequently Used Parliamentary Motions Adapted for use in NFL Congressional Debate Type Required Motion Purpose Vote 24. Fix time for reassembling To arrange time of next meeting Yes Yes-T Yes-T Majority Yes 23. Adjourn To dismiss the meeting Yes No Yes-T Majority No Second Required? Debatable? Amendable? May Interrupt? Privileged Incidental 22. Recess To dismiss the meeting for a Yes Yes Yes-T Majority No specific length of time 21. Rise to a question of privilege To make a personal request during debate No No No Decision of Yes 20. Call for orders of the day To force consideration of a No No No Decision of Yes postponed motion 19. Appeal a decision of the chair To reverse a decision Yes No No Majority Yes 18. Rise to a point of order or To correct a parliamentary error No No No Decision of Yes parliamentary procedure or ask a question 17. Division of the chamber To verify a voice vote No No No Decision of Yes 16. Object to the consideration To suppress action No No No 2/3 Yes of a question 15. Divide a motion To consider its parts separately Yes No Yes Majority No 14. Leave to modify or withdraw a motion To modify or withdraw a motion No No No Majority No 13. Suspend the rules To take action contrary to Yes No No 2/3 No standing rules 12. Rescind To repeal previous action Yes Yes Yes 2/3 No 11. Reconsider To consider a defeated motion Yes Yes No Majority No again 10. Take from the table To consider tabled motion Yes No No Majority No 9. Lay on the table To defer action Yes No No Majority No 8. Previous question To force an immediate vote Yes No No 2/3 No Subsidiary 7. Limit or extend debate To modify freedom of debate Yes Yes Yes-T 2/3 No 6. Postpone to a certain time To defer action Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes 5. Refer to a committee * For further study Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes 4. Amend an amendment To modify an amendment 1/3 Yes No Majority No 3. Amend To modify a motion 1/3 Yes Yes Majority No 2. Postpone indefinitely To suppress action Yes Yes No Majority No Main 1. Main motion To introduce a business Yes Yes Yes Majority No * No. 5 should include: Nos. 3 and 4 by: 1. How appointed? T = Time 1. Adding (inserting) 2. The number 2. Striking (deleting) 3. Report when or to what standing committee 3. Substituting Congressional Debate Guide 9
Congressional Debate Rubric: Speaking This table of evaluation standards may be used by any judge who would like assistance in determining scores for speeches. Each scorer independently (without collaborating) awards 1 to 6 points for each speech. Each speaker has up to three minutes to present arguments followed by a questioning period (the time length for which will vary, depending on specific league rules). Points 3 4 5 6 Mediocre Good Excellent Superior Content: Organization, Evidence & Language Argument & Refutation Delivery The speech lacked a clear thesis and organizational structure. Claims are only asserted with generalizations and no real evidence. Language use is unclear or ineffective. The speaker offers mostly unwarranted assertions, which often simply repeat/rehash previous arguments. Little eye contact, gestures and/or movement are present. Vocal presentation is inarticulate due to soft volume or lack of enunciation. While the speaker s purpose is present, the speech lacks logical organization and/or developed ideas. Analysis of evidence, if present, fails to connect its relevance to the speaker s claims. Use of language is weak. The speaker fails to either introduce new arguments (simply repeating previous arguments) or the speaker fails to refute previous opposing arguments; in other words, no real clash is present. Presentation is satisfactory, yet unimpressively read (perhaps monotonously) from prepared notes, with errors in pronunciation and/or minimal eye contact. Awkward gestures/movement may be distracting. While a clear purpose is apparent, organization may be somewhat loose (weak introduction/conclusion; no transitions between points). Diction represents a grasp of language. Much evidence is presented, but not in a persuasive or effective manner; or the speaker relies on one piece of evidence, but does so effectively. New ideas and response to previous arguments are offered, but in an unbalanced manner (too much refutation or too many new arguments). Questions are answered adequately. The presentation is strong, but contains a few mistakes, including problems with pronunciation and enunciation. The speech may be partially read with satisfactory fluency. Physical presence may be awkward at times. Content is clearly and logically organized, and characterized by depth of thought and development of ideas, supported by a variety of credible quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (testimony) evidence analyzed effectively to draw conclusions. Compelling language, a poignant introduction and conclusion and lucid transitions clearly establish the speaker s purpose and frame the perspective of the issue s significance. The speaker contributes to the spontaneity of debate, effectively synthesizing response and refutation of previous ideas with new arguments. If the speaker fields questions, he/she responds with confidence and clarity. The speaker's vocal control and physical poise are polished, deliberate, crisp and confident. Delivery should be extemporaneous, with few errors in pronunciation. Eye contact is effective and consistent. Scores of less than three (3) are rarely encouraged, and should be reserved for such circumstances as abusive language, a degrading personal attack on another legislator, or for a speech that is extremely brief (less than 45 seconds) or delivered without purpose or dignity for the cause exhorted by the legislation. Substantial written comments and description of specific incidents should accompany such scores. Congressional Debate Guide 11
Congressional Debate Rubric: Presiding This table of evaluation standards may be used by any judge who would like assistance in determining scores for a presiding officer (PO). Each scorer independently (without collaborating) awards 1 to 6 points for each hour of presiding. Points 1-2 3-4 5-6 Weak Mediocre Good Excellent Superior Speaker Recognition The P.O. needs to improve his/her communication with fellow delegates to gain their trust and respect relating to the rationale for rulings made. Frequent errors are made in speaker recognition, which lacks consistent method or impartiality. While the P.O. does not adequately explain his/her preferences for running the chamber in advance, he/she does clearly explain rulings, when necessary. Speaker recognition may be somewhat inconsistent or biased. Presiding preferences are clearly explained at the beginning of the session and executed consistently. The P.O. is universally respected and trusted by his/her peers, and is consistent in recognition (very few errors) and rulings, distributing speeches throughout the room geographically, equally between schools of the same size, and among individuals. Parliamentary Procedure The P.O. s knowledge of parliamentary procedure is lacking, and he/she shows negligible effort to correct errors and/or consult written rules. The P.O. demonstrates competency in procedure, but makes mistakes in determining the results of motions and votes, etc. The P.O. has command of parliamentary procedure (motions) and uses this almost transparently to run a fair and efficient chamber, seldom consulting written rules and ruling immediately on whether motions pass or fail. Delivery/ Presence The P.O. needs to improve his/her vocal and physical presence and professional demeanor. The P.O. displays a satisfactory command of the chamber in his/her vocal and physical presence. Word choice is usually concise. The P.O. dynamically displays a command and relates well to the chamber through his/her vocal and physical presence. Word choice is economical and eloquent. Congressional Debate Guide 12
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