Since its founding in 2014, the Penn Political Union has debated a wide range of policy issues, ranging from universal pre-school to personal income taxes to the Syrian Civil War. With each session, the Union strives to provide a unique forum for passionate (while serious and respectful) discussion of these controversial topics. Resolutions are listed by reverse chronological order of date.
2017-2018
Debated November 2, 2017: In order to prevent mass public shootings, the United States should more heavily regulate firearm ownership.
Debated October 5, 2017: Political polarization in the United States is primarily the product of a hyper-partisan and sensationalist media.
Debated September 7, 2017: The United States of America cannot allow North Korea to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), even if that means taking military action.
2016-2017
Debated March 23, 2017: The U.S. should help implement a Ukrainian peace deal featuring the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, a 100 year lease of Crimea to Russia and the lifting of sanctions.
Debated February 23, 2017: Taxes should be raised on the top 10% and large corporations in order to increase wealth redistribution program spending as a means of reducing poverty.
Debated January 26, 2017: The U.S. should immediately double its resettlement of refugees (based on FY2015 numbers) from Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen & Libya.
Debated December 1, 2016: In the U.S., lobbying is a force for good.
Debated November 3, 2016: Obama's legacy will be a positive one.
Debated October 24, 2016: China is the greatest threat to American security.
Debated October 13, 2016: The President should take executive action to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions beyond the framework of the Paris Agreement.
Debated September 8, 2016: The U.S. should adopt the Trans-Pacific Partnership
Debated August 27, 2016: Special Event: A Presidential Debate - The merits of the 2016 candidates
2015-2016
Debated April 11, 2016: Personal contribution limits to political parties should be removed.
Debated April 5, 2016: The CIA helps ensure Global Security.
Debated March 24, 2016: The benefits of American drone policy outweigh their costs.
Debated February 25, 2016: There should be a national Right to Work law.
Debated January 28, 2016: There should be a ban on the purchasing, licensing, and use of handguns in the United States.
Debated November 19, 2015: The U.S. should extend Medicare to all citizens and permanent residents, paid for by an increase in income taxes.
Debated October 22, 2015: The U.S. should enact the College for All Act, as proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Debated September 17, 2015: The U.S. should approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.
2014-2015
Debated April 23, 2015: The U.S. should oppose the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Debated March 26, 2015: All jurisdictions in the U.S. should legalize prostitution.
Debated February 19, 2015: The construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline should be approved.
Debated January 22, 2015: The Electoral College should be removed and the existing first-past-the-post voting system replaced with a preferential voting system across all States for all federal elections.
Debated November 20, 2014: Universal access to high-quality preschool programs should be provided for American children.
Debated October 16, 2014: The U.S. should escalate its involvement in Syria.
Debated September 18, 2014: The current graduated U.S. personal income tax system and all of its associated exemptions should be replaced with a twenty-five percent flat personal income tax rate.