National Security and Veterans
I emphasize the need to maintain peace and security at home and abroad through diplomacy whenever possible, and I remain committed to ensuring Wisconsin's 400,000 veterans get the benefits they have earned. When our brave men and women return from foreign conflicts and retire from the military, the U.S. has a duty to provide them the support and care they deserve. I am committed to ending the VA backlog and support efforts that would allow the VA to streamline its services and serve veterans most in need.
I believe our country must maintain a proper balance between security and liberty. I am committed to protecting the privacy, security, and wellbeing of all Americans, and that means defending Americans from all types of threats. I founded the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus with Representative Barbara Lee, because our defense budget continues to grow without addressing real, everyday threats like cybersecurity attacks, pandemics, and climate change. If we want to address national security, we must reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and expand our definition of defense to include all types of threats.
More on National Security and Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement on his call for a cessation of hostilities towards civilians by all parties in the war between Israel and Hamas and for a robust humanitarian aid package:
"The situation in Israel and Gaza continues to deteriorate. While the violent attack by Hamas on the Israeli people was brutal, it has lessened, and the retaliation by Israel toward Hamas is in full swing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after he voted for a continuing resolution that will keep the government operating for 45 more days.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the House passed a resolution supporting the State of Israel, which he supported:
“This resolution is aspirational: it embodies what Israel wants to be and what we hope it is. But if we want to make this vision a reality, then as friends of Israel, we must point out the significant barriers to those aspirations – as any good friend would.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting him to call for the release of five political prisoners in El Salvador and for their charges to be dismissed. This comes after the January 2023 arrests of the five community leaders from northern El Salvador.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after House passage of the $874 billion FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill he has never voted in favor of since being elected to Congress:
“It’s time to say ‘enough.’ Year after year, we spend more and more on our national defense – it’s too much with too little accountability. We have troops on food stamps while at the same time, price-gouging defense contractors are getting richer by the day.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after he voted against the Bipartisan Budget Bill:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023, which aims to increase transparency and accountability in the defense budget.
As of November 2022, the Pentagon has failed its 5th consecutive audit. According to a recent GAO report, the Department of Defense (DOD) continues to be unable to account for billions of dollars' worth of assets.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, celebrated the passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriation legislation. This $1.7 trillion piece of legislation will fund the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year and is expected to be signed by President Biden as soon as today.