National Security and Veterans
I emphasize the need to maintain peace and security at home and abroad, through diplomacy whenever possible. I opposed both the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and I support the continued withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The use of chemical weapons in Syria was reprehensible and it deserved a united global response. We must continue to work with the international community to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.
I believe our country must maintain a proper balance between security and liberty. I am committed to protecting the privacy rights of all Americans; as such, I am 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.
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 am a co-sponsor of the Veterans Claims Efficiency Through Automation Act, which would allow the VA to streamline its services and serve veterans most in need.
More on National Security and Veterans
Madison – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement today after President-elect Trump nominated Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon Mobil, as Secretary of State.
“President-elect Trump’s nomination of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, as Secretary of State, signals that US diplomacy is now in the pockets of big oil. Tillerson has spent his entire career putting the profits of Exxon over our country’s national interests.
Madison – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement after Secretary Ash Carter officially announced the Department of Defense’s decision to lift its ban on transgender people from serving in the armed forces.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Co-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, released the following statement on the tragic mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. The shooting claimed the lives of 49 people as they celebrated Pride Month, making it the largest mass shooting in our nation’s history.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the Republican majority rejected his amendment with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would have restored benefits to gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members who were discharged from the military on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Members of the LGBT Equality Caucus urged the passage of the Restore Honor to Service Members Act at a press conference on Capitol Hill. The legislation would help service members discharged solely due to their sexual orientation correct their military records to reflect their honorable service and reinstate the benefits they earned.
Washington, D.C - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), 1st Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which effectively halts the Iranian Nuclear Program, and provides the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unprecedented access to monitor Iran’s nuclear sites.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) along with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today introduced the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, legislation that will help service members discharged solely due to their sexual orientation correct their military records to reflect their honorable service and reinstate the benefits they earned.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) today issued the following statement on the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that the NSA’s warrantless collection of phone call records of millions of Americans is illegal:
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the Surveillance State Repeal Act. The legislation would repeal dragnet federal surveillance laws, while overhauling the NSA’s domestic surveillance program.