Pocan Announces 2nd District Wins in 2021 House Spending Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today highlighted the victories included in this year’s FY2021 House Appropriations spending bills, a package of which passed on Friday, July 31. Congressman Pocan serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and secured numerous victories and funding for programs that Wisconsinites rely on and utilize every day. The spending package builds on additional funding passed in the House in July, which combined now total over $1.5 trillion for the American people—including $210 billion in emergency funding to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“This pandemic has reminded us how important it is to adequately prioritize spending for the American people over the needs of special interest groups,” said Congressman Pocan.” As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to fight for federal funding for healthcare, education, poverty reduction, housing and for billions in funding to benefit the Second District of Wisconsin. From continuing to support the innovative research and programs at the University of Wisconsin to expanding rural broadband services, these spending bills secure a better future for our state.”

The University of Wisconsin will benefit from a host of the included programs. Millions in federal funding will benefit the University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, PANTHER Program, Language Flagship Programs as well fund research in quantum information science, unmanned aerial systems propulsion, corn genomes, and high-impact energy technology. UW will also receive funding to support their Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology rural residency training tracks—the first in the nation to offer specific training for rural women’s health. The University of Wisconsin-Madison receives 73% of its federal funding through agencies funded by the three subcommittees on which Pocan serves.

The legislation supports a variety of the Second District’s priorities. It includes $1 billion for national broadband expansion initiatives—a $435 million increase from the year before—which will help expand access to broadband in rural communities. Additionally, Congressman Pocan previously announced the inclusion of $50 million in the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense spending bill to be used to fund a new program that will provide noise mitigation grants for communities impacted by military aviation noise. In Madison, these grants will be able to be utilized to mitigate noise for communities affected by the new F-35 jets at Truax Field Air National Guard Base.

The full list of spending priorities secured by Congressman Pocan are available to view here.

The bills heads to the Senate next for approval, before heading to the President’s desk for his signature. If the Senate passes a different set of priorities, both bodies go to conference committee to work out differences.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.