Grassley Op-Ed: Iowa is at the middle of 100 years of speech and debate | Opinion

Today, screens are constantly fighting for our attention.

The 24/7 news cycle and ever-present social media dominate our days and drive conflict.

In short, it’s getting more and more difficult to thoughtfully debate the big issues.

Since our nation’s founding, speech and debate have been the cornerstone of this country, inspiring documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Every day, students across the country follow in this great tradition of discourse through speech and debate clubs.

I’m proud the organization governing these programs, the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), is based in the heart of America: Iowa.

NSDA has over 141,000 student members in schools across the United States.

Each year, it welcomes students from every corner of the country for its annual tournament. When Des Moines hosted the tournament last year, I was honored to speak at the event and see firsthand the promise of these bright young men and women.

Through academically rigorous speech and debate training, competitions, and education, NSDA has devoted its mission for the past century to preparing generations of men and women to engage in the public sphere.

Amid this digital age of distraction and siloed schools of thought, speech and debate students are developing key skills like critical thinking, effective communication and leadership.

These students choose to engage in heated topics, not hide from them. And, through it all, they build friendships with people of different perspectives that last a lifetime.

Studies have shown students involved in speech and debate score better in reading tests and have higher self-esteem.

As Iowa’s U.S. senator, I use speech and debate skills every day — whether it’s during tough negotiations with my colleagues or conversations with Iowans during my 99 county meetings.

I always encourage my fellow Iowans to use their speech and debate skills to stay in touch and share their points of view. I begin each one of my county meetings reaffirming the importance of discourse and telling Iowans, “No question is off limits.”

Since 2016, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and I have led the Senate to unanimously pass resolutions to recognize National Speech and Debate Education Day.

This year marks a very special anniversary.

In 2025, the National Speech and Debate Association turns 100 years old.

For a century, NSDA has equipped students with the ability to listen, concur, question and dissent with reason and compassion.

This student-focused organization is committed to ensuring future leaders have the 21st-century skills to thrive in their personal, professional and civic lives.

As NSDA looks forward to the next 100 years, our world faces an uncertain future.

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and the rise of AI has unlocked new opportunities, and new risks.

In these uncertain and divisive times, it’s critical for us to remember the importance of speech and debate and exemplify respectful discourse and thoughtful discussions.

It’s how our forefathers created our founding documents, and how America will continue to stand as a shining beacon of hope to the world.

That mission begins in our communities, and it continues in speech and debate clubs across this country. I encourage Iowans interested in starting a speech and debate team to reach out to NSDA.

Happy centennial year to the National Speech and Debate Association. Your work is more important than ever to engage our next generation of leaders to bridge differences through respectful dialogue.

Chuck Grassley is the senior U.S. senator from Iowa and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.