Speaker 1

Round 1: Income

1. The United States federal government should substantially expand eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

2. The United States federal government should raise the retirement age for people to earn social security benefits.

3. The Earned Income Tax Credit does more harm than good.

4. Equity in income distribution is more important than equity in employment opportunities.

5. A universal basic income would alleviate poverty in the United States.

Speaker 1

Round 2: Healthcare

1. The United States federal government should eliminate the age requirement for participation in Medicare.

2. Universal coverage ought to be preferred to lowering the cost of health insurance in the United States.

3. The United States federal government should substantially expand eligibility for the Childrens’ Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

4. The Affordable Care Act has done more harm than good. 

5. Nationalizing the healthcare industry would be net beneficial to the United States.

Speaker 1

Round 3: Food/Nutrition

1. The United States federal government should substantially expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

2. The United States federal government should pass the Universal School Meals program act.

3. Promoting local food production is a more sustainable solution to address food security issues than relying solely on government assistance programs.

4. Food deserts have a minimal impact on food insecurity in the United States.

5. Government food assistance programs don’t do enough to promote nutrition.

Speaker 1

Housing

1. The United States federal government should substantially expand eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

2. The United States federal government should substantially increase financial incentives for the building of public housing.

3. Housing is not a human right.

4. Rent control policies do more harm than good. 

5.  Housing policy should prioritize equity above all other values.

Speaker 1

Labor/Employment 

1. The United States federal government should expand employment protections for gig workers.

2. The National Labor Relations Board should substantially reduce restrictions on eligibility for collective bargaining rights.  

3. Labor stoppages (strikes) do more harm than good.

4. The right to collective bargaining is more important than the right to work.

5. Low unemployment is the best indicator of a strong economy.