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MADISON, WI—Starting tomorrow, November 1^st, more than 800,000 families in Wisconsin who rely on food stamps will see reductions in their benefits that will make it harder for them to put food on their tables. Due to the expiration of a temporary boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was included in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Wisconsin will see an $89 million reduction in food assistance benefits for its neediest citizens during the upcoming fiscal year. In response, U.S. Rep.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the Budget Conference Committee begins its negotiations today on a comprehensive budget plan, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Budget Committee, today encouraged his colleagues to ensure their work focuses on the top problem facing our country: the need for further economic growth that will get the people of Wisconsin and America back to work.

It has been four years since Congress has passed a budget.

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.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today became an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan and bicameral USA FREEDOM Act that would rein in the National Security Agency’s (NSA) blanket surveillance policies and protect the privacy rights of all Americans. The legislation, which is sponsored in the House by fellow Wisconsinite and Patriot Act author Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), would reform the Patriot Act by ensuring greater transparency and oversight over domestic surveillance programs and increasing the safeguards meant to protect the privacy of U.S. citizens.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Budget Committee, today released the following statement after voting to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling, thus avoiding a disastrous default by the United States. The government had been closed for 16 days.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Just two days until the government reaches its borrowing limit and risks defaulting on its loans, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today highlighted the severe effects a government default would have on nearly every single Wisconsinite.

WASHINGTON – Twelve days into the GOP-induced government shutdown that has furloughed Wisconsin workers, threatened the food security of 113,000 Wisconsin women and children, and stalled business for Wisconsin companies, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) took action today to force a vote to reopen the government.

WASHINGTON—As the United States announced today it expects to complete work on a major new foreign trade agreement by the end of the year, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan today expressed continued concerns with the deal and encouraged Congress not to “fast track” the agreement for approval.