Wisconsin — 2nd District

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Supports higher minimum wage and increased social spending

Mark Pocan has consistently advocated for labor rights and raising the federal minimum wage, citing historical inflation adjustments. He participated in a SNAP challenge to highlight food assistance funding needs and voted against Republican budget reconciliation and debt ceiling legislation. Pocan serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and is endorsed by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

• Advocated for raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25.
• Participated in the SNAP challenge, living on a $4.50 daily food budget to raise awareness for benefits.
• Voted against H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023.

“#MinimumWage in 1968 was $10.60 in 2013 dollars. Today it is $7.25. Past time we #raisethewage.”

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Opposes restrictive border enforcement legislation

Mark Pocan has consistently opposed Republican border enforcement and immigration restriction bills in the House. He voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023, the Laken Riley Act, and measures making DUI offenses grounds for deportation. He has also been endorsed by immigration advocacy groups favoring structural ICE reforms.

• Voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2).
• Voted against the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) regarding mandatory detention rules.
• Voted against legislation making driving while impaired grounds for deportation (H.R. 875).

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Opposes proof of citizenship voting requirements

Mark Pocan opposes stricter federal voter registration requirements, voting against the SAVE Act in 2025. He is endorsed by reform groups such as End Citizens United. In July 2024, he publicly called on President Joe Biden to pass the torch and withdraw from the presidential race to protect Democratic governance.

• Voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22).
• Called on President Joe Biden to step aside as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
• Endorsed by End Citizens United.

“Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders. We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, protect our alliances and the rules-based international order, and continue building on the strong foundation you have established over the past four years.”

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Advocates for congressional approval on military actions

Mark Pocan supports enforcing constitutional limits on foreign military interventions. In 2013, he co-signed a letter calling for a congressional resolution before military strikes in Syria and seeking UN international consensus. His candidacy has drawn endorsements from groups critical of U.S. foreign aid policies in the Middle East.

• Co-signed a 2013 bipartisan House letter urging congressional approval prior to military engagement in Syria.
• Endorsed by groups including Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption and Stop Arming Israel.

“should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements.”

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Supports LGBTQ+ equality and opposes sports restrictions

Mark Pocan advocates for federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and opposes restrictions targeting transgender individuals. He voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in 2025 and has received the endorsement of Equality PAC.

• Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28).
• Endorsed by Equality PAC.

D Democratic Mark Pocan

Supports expanding public employee Social Security benefits

Mark Pocan supports strengthening Social Security and removing benefit offsets for public workers. He voted for the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, which aimed to eliminate benefit reductions for individuals receiving state or local government pensions.

• Voted for the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82).