Last updated on: 1/10/2022 | Author: ProCon.org

Our Latest Updates – Archive

Biden Issues Executive Order to Increase Background Checks
3/20/2023 -

Among other actions, the order directs U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland “to ensure that licensed gun dealers are aware and conduct the required background checks before purchases” in compliance with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (signed into law in June 2022).

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Wyoming First State to Ban Medication Abortions
3/20/2023 -

On Mar. 17, 2023, Wyoming became the first state without a complete abortion ban to outlaw the use of medication abortions.

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Minnesota Restores Right to Vote to People Convicted of Felonies Who Have Completed Prison Sentences
3/7/2023 -

On Mar. 3, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed SF26, which restored the right to vote to people convicted of felonies once they complete their prison sentence(s). Minnesota previously required that parole was completed.

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Pennsylvania Governor Continues Death Penalty Moratorium
2/22/2023 -

Governor Josh Shapiro will continue the death penalty moratorium established by his predecessor, Tom Wolf in 2015.

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Updated! Should States Be Allowed to Mandate Vaccines for School Attendance
2/17/2023 -

Improved and updated arguments and resources focusing on the school vaccine mandate debate.

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Updated Topic: Churches & Taxes
1/24/2023 -

Should American churches remain tax-exempt? Explore updated content surrounding the debate.

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FDA No Longer Requires Animal Testing for All Drugs
1/12/2023 -

On Dec. 29, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. Sponsored by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the law updates the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by eliminating the requirement that pharmaceutical companies test new drugs on animals before human trials. The amendment does not prevent companies from performing animals tests, but makes the tests the choice of the company.

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Federal Court Strikes Down Justice Department Bump Stock Ban
1/9/2023 -

On Dec. 18, 2018, the US Justice Department announced a new rule banning bump stocks, a gun attachment that allows a semi-automatic gun to fire rapidly like an automatic weapon. As of Mar. 26, 2019, the new rule classifies bump stocks as machine guns, which bans them nationwide under existing gun control laws. On Jan. 6, 2023, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the bump stock ban in a 13-3 decision.

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FDA Clarifies Plan B Is Contraceptive, Not an Abortion Pill
1/9/2023 -

In Dec. 2022, amid the escalating abortion debate, the FDA clarified that Plan B is not an abortion drug: the pill “will not work if you’re already pregnant, and will not affect an existing pregnancy.”

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Accidental Cannabis Exposures in Kids Rose Dramatically
1/9/2023 -

Within just five years, accidental cannabis exposures in kids aged one to six who ate edibles increased 1,375% from 207 cases in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021.

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First Known U.S. Execution of Openly Transgender Person in Missouri
1/9/2023 -

On Jan. 3, 2023, Missouri executed Amber McLaughlin, who was convicted of the 2003 first-degree murder, forcible rape, and armed criminal action against Beverly Guenther. McLaughlin is thought to be the first openly transgender person executed in the United States.

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FDA Allows Pharmacies to Dispense Abortion Drug
1/9/2023 -

On Jan. 3, 2023, the FDA announced that certified pharmacies will be allowed to dispense the abortion medication mifepristone to people with a prescription, removing the requirement that only a healthcare provider may dispense the medication.

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New Year, New Minimum Wage Rates
1/5/2023 -

A handful of states updated their minimum wage rates resulting in 0 states with minimum wages below the federal $7.25/hr rate, 30 and DC above the federal rate, and 20 that default to the federal rate.

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10 States Now Have Cosmetics Animal Testing Bans
1/5/2023 -

As of Jan. 1, 2023, when New York’s law went into effect, ten states have bans on animal testing for cosmetics.

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Updated Format! Should the U.S. Government Provide a Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants?
12/22/2022 -

ProCon’s examination of the path to citizenship debate now enjoys our updated format.

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