Past Union Resolutions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the U.S., lobbying is a force for good.
Debated November 3, 2016:
Obama's legacy will be a positive one.
Obama's legacy will be a positive one.
Debated October 24, 2016:
China is the greatest threat to American security.
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.
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
The U.S. should adopt the Trans-Pacific Partnership
Debated August 27, 2016:
Special Event: A Presidential Debate - The merits of the 2016 candidates
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.
Personal contribution limits to political parties should be removed.
Debated April 5, 2016:
The CIA helps ensure Global Security.
The CIA helps ensure Global Security.
Debated March 24, 2016:
The benefits of American drone policy outweigh their costs.
The benefits of American drone policy outweigh their costs.
Debated February 25, 2016:
There should be a national Right to Work law.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
All jurisdictions in the U.S. should legalize prostitution.
Debated February 19, 2015:
The construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline should be approved.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
