Pocan Votes For Much-Needed Ukraine Aid, Against Unconditional Weapons for Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to advance separate pieces of legislation to provide military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian relief for the crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and other conflict zones. 

“For more than two years, Vladimir Putin has waged an unjust war against Ukraine. This bill provides much-needed military assistance to Ukraine to fight back and regain its territory, hopefully putting an end to this war without putting American boots on the ground. I’m glad Speaker Johnson finally allowed the House to take action on this critical funding on its own, and I was glad to vote in favor of the Ukraine Supplemental. 

“Today’s votes also included billions of dollars in unconditional weapons for Israel. While the Israel Supplemental bill also included necessary funding for global humanitarian assistance as well as funding for the Iron Dome and other Israeli defense systems that rightly enable Israel to defend itself, I could not in good conscience vote for more offensive weapons to be given to Israel to be used in Gaza without any conditions attached. The devastation inflicted upon innocent civilians in Gaza is unjustifiable, and the United States cannot continue providing Prime Minister Netanyahu with a blank check to expand this conflict. Further arming Netanyahu and his extreme coalition could only lead us to a wider conflict in the Middle East. A ceasefire and freeing the hostages while also redoubling the efforts to achieve a two-state solution is the surest way toward peace in the region; more bombs to kill starving kids is not.” 

Pocan also voted in favor of legislation to provide $8 billion to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific, including through security assistance to Taiwan.