What Laws Have Passed in the Last Decade?

In the last decade, many laws have been passed that have brought about significant changes in various areas of life. Here are some examples:

Marriage Equality: In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States declared that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry, and struck down the remaining state bans on same-sex marriage. This was a historic moment for the LGBTQ community and marked a significant step towards equal rights for all.
Criminal Justice Reform: In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the need for criminal justice reform in the United States. Many states have passed laws to address issues such as mandatory minimum sentences, police brutality, and racial profiling. In 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act, which aims to reduce the number of people in federal prisons and provide more opportunities for rehabilitation.
Gun Control: In response to mass shootings and other incidents of gun violence, several states have passed laws to tighten gun control. For example, in 2018, Florida passed a law raising the minimum age to buy a firearm to 21, and banning bump stocks. Other states have passed laws requiring background checks for all gun purchases, and banning assault weapons.
Marijuana Legalization: Over the last decade, many states have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. As of 2021, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana.
Transgender Rights: There has been a growing recognition of the need to protect the rights of transgender individuals. In recent years, several states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination against transgender individuals in schools and other federally-funded programs.
Net Neutrality: In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a law requiring internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all internet traffic equally, and not discriminate against any particular website or service. However, in 2017, the FCC under the Trump administration repealed this law. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed a bill to restore net neutrality, but it has yet to pass the Senate.
Environmental Protection: In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of climate change and the need to protect the environment. Several states have passed laws aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. In 2015, the Obama administration signed the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. However, in 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement.
Healthcare Reform: The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was passed in 2010 with the aim of expanding access to healthcare and reducing healthcare costs. However, it has faced ongoing opposition and legal challenges. In recent years, there have been efforts to further expand access to healthcare, such as the proposed Medicare for All bill.
Immigration: The issue of immigration has been a contentious one in the United States. In recent years, there have been several laws aimed at tightening immigration policies, such as the travel ban on individuals from certain Muslim-majority countries. However, there have also been efforts to protect the rights of immigrants, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Voting Rights: In recent years, there has been growing concern about voter suppression and the need to protect voting rights. Many states have passed laws aimed at making it harder for certain groups to vote, such as voter ID laws and restrictions on early voting. However, there have also been efforts to expand access to voting, such as same-day voter registration
Another significant law passed in the last decade was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was signed into law by President Trump. The law significantly lowered the corporate tax rate and simplified the tax code for many Americans. However, it also made significant changes to individual tax deductions, including capping the state and local tax deduction and eliminating several popular deductions, such as the personal exemption.
In 2018, the First Step Act was passed, which aimed to reduce the number of people incarcerated in federal prisons and improve conditions for those who are incarcerated. The law included provisions such as expanding early-release programs, allowing judges more discretion in sentencing, and providing incentives for prisoners to participate in rehabilitation programs.
In 2019, several states passed new abortion laws that sparked controversy and legal challenges. Alabama passed a law banning nearly all abortions, with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, and several other states passed laws that severely restricted access to abortion. These laws were met with protests and legal challenges, with many arguing that they violated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade.
Also in 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill has not yet been passed by the Senate but has garnered significant support from LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups.
Finally, in 2020, several states passed new laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws included mask mandates, business closures, and restrictions on large gatherings, all aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. While these laws were met with resistance from some, many public health officials argue that they were necessary to protect public health and prevent the spread of the virus.
Overall, the last decade has seen significant changes in laws across the United States, with many new laws aimed at addressing social and political issues. While some of these laws have been controversial and faced legal challenges, they represent important steps forward in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States.