Agriculture
Wisconsin is “America’s Dairyland.” We are the national leader in dairy production and a leading agricultural state. Wisconsin is home to nearly 78,000 farms statewide, 99% which are family owned according to the United States Department of Agriculture. I am dedicated to protecting America’s family farmers and ensuring that the country is able to provide quality food for all of its citizens.
The Farm Bill affects each and every Wisconsinite and I support legislation that is comprehensive and respectful of the needs of family farmers, the environment, and the well being of all Americans. However, I strongly oppose cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These programs are a vital lifeline to help lift families out of severe poverty, and allow families to use their income to invest in their future and support their local farmers and economy.
More on Agriculture
Washington, D.C - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) issued the following statement on today¹s final ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) against a popular U.S. country-of-origin meat labeling (COOL) policy, which requires labeling of pork and beef sold in the United States to inform consumers the country in which the animals were born, raised and slaughtered:
MADISON – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement after a phone conversation with an official from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarifying its position on banning the practice of wood-aging in cheese making:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today announced he will join colleagues from Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Connecticut, New York and California to introduce a bipartisan amendment that would prevent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from banning the practice of wood-aging in cheese making.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) is proud to announce the following exceptional students from Wisconsin’s Second Congressional District who received his nomination to one of the nation’s service academies.
MADISON, WI—Imagine if a gallon of milk suddenly cost $7 at every grocery store in south central Wisconsin. Unfortunately, that could become a reality starting in 2014 if Congress does not pass a new Farm Bill by the end of the year. At a press conference today in Madison at the Jenifer Street Market, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) called for his colleagues not to leave Washington until action is taken to avoid these unnecessary price increases for families and farmers in south central Wisconsin.
MADISON, WI—Starting tomorrow, November 1st, 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.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today will vote against Republican legislation that would deny food assistance benefits for approximately 150,000 of Wisconsin’s poorest citizens, including children, seniors and veterans. The legislation cuts nearly $40 billion from the food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers a vital lifeline to Americans struggling to get back on their feet in this downturn economy. Ninety-two percent of people on SNAP are children, the elderly, disabled, or already working.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—As House Republicans prepare to introduce legislation this week to cut nearly $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and deny vital food support for four to six million low-income Americans, U.S. Rep. Pocan (D-WI) wants to ensure his colleagues understand the full implications of these drastic funding reductions on American families and the American economy.
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) is urging Speaker Jon Boehner not to leave more Americans hungry by cutting food assistance programs that benefit 800,000 Wisconsinites. In a letter with 204 other House Democrats, Pocan implored the Speaker to include funding for nutrition programs in any future Farm Bill that comes before the House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON– U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) concluded the “SNAP Challenge” today, ending a week during which he lived off the food stamp budget of $4.50 of food per day to bring attention to the country’s hunger crisis and highlight Republican efforts to cut $20.5 billion from this critical food assistance program. On his final day of the challenge, Pocan voted on an amendment to the Farm Bill that would have restored the Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which benefits more than 800,000 Wisconsinites.