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Pocan Named to House Education & the Workforce Committee

October 29, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today announced that he has been selected to serve on the House Education & the Workforce Committee. The important committee has jurisdiction over education (early childhood, K-12, and higher education), job training programs, workforce protections, and employment-related benefits including healthcare and pensions. The appointment is effective immediately.

“The key to our nation’s economic prosperity lies in our robust support for education and our workforce, and I am honored to fight for these pressing priorities as a member of the Education & the Workforce Committee,” Pocan said. “From preserving access to a high quality college education, to strengthening job training programs, to protecting our workers, I will use my position on this important committee to advocate for the vital interests of our working families and students in south central Wisconsin.”

“The Education and Workforce Committee will be well-served by the talent of Congressman Mark Pocan,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “A proven problem-solver with a staunch commitment to working families, he will continue to promote polices that create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and ensure a more prosperous future for all. From his constituents in Wisconsin to his colleagues in Washington, Congressman Pocan’s leadership is respected and valued.”

“I am very pleased to welcome Rep. Pocan to the Education and the Workforce Committee. Mark has been a strong advocate on behalf of working families and our nation’s students,” said Rep. George Miller, the Ranking Member and senior Democrat on the committee. “As a union member and owner of a union printing shop, Rep. Pocan will have unique insight into the struggles of workers who are fighting for a piece of the American Dream. I welcome Mark’s voice to the committee and his determination to grow and strengthen the nation’s middle class.”

Since arriving in Congress, Pocan, a union member and owner of a union specialty printing shop, has been a vigorous advocate for working families in Wisconsin and across the nation. He has supported an increase to the minimum wage, fought for a full NLRB board to enforce workplace laws, and backed increased funding for workplace and job training programs that prepare our workers for the jobs of today and the future. He has also taken a lead on the issue of college affordability, introducing legislation that would allow nearly 40 million Americans to refinance their federal student loans to the lowest current interest rate. Pocan also believes every student deserves to attend a safe school environment that is free from bullying and harassment, and earlier this year co-sponsored the bipartisan Student Non-Discrimination Act which would prohibit at the federal level discrimination in public schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity

Rep. Tom Petri (WI-06) is the only other member of the Wisconsin delegation to serve on the committee.

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Issues:Education