Provided new anti-terrorism resources to first responders.  Congressman Forbes supported the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act (H.R.3978) to allow the Department of Homeland Security to accept non-monetary gifts to support anti-terrorism training for first responders.  This bill passed the House by voice vote.

Supported modernizing the Secret Service Uniformed Division.  Congressman Forbes supported the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Modernization Act of 2010 (S.1510), which updated and standardized Secret Service Uniformed Division pay scales.  This bill passed the House by a voice vote.

Preventing Terrorists from Being Tranferred to the U.S.Congressman Forbes offered an amendment during debate of the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent the transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into the United States. The Amendment was adopted by the House of Representatives. To watch a video of Congressman Forbes remarks during debate, click here.  The amendment was adopted in the House by a vote 282-131.

Supported the families of FBI agents who died in the line of duty.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the FBI Families of Fallen Heroes Act (H.R.2711), which  provides relocation expenses for the families of fallen FBI agents.  This legislation helps minimize the financial burden on FBI families already dealing with the loss of a loved one.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-0.

Protecting U.S. digital information and systems.  Congressman Forbes joined the House Cybersecurity Caucus, which raises awareness on important cybersecurity issues and provides a forum for Members of Congress representing different committees to discuss the challenges in protecting vital U.S. interests in cyberspace.  The Department of Defense experienced roughly 44,000 cyberwarfare attacks from China in the first six months of 2009 alone.

Remembered the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. Congressman Forbes supported a resolution remembering the victims of the April 19, 1995 attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (H.Res.1206).  This resolution passed the House by voice vote.

Voted Against More Deficit Spending.  Congressman Forbes voted to oppose the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 (H.R.4899), which would increase the deficit by more than $5 billion to fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and provide incentives for youth summer jobs.  Nearly $1.4 billion already exists for youth employment in unspent stimulus funds and regular spending bills.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 239-175.

Supported Responsible Federal Emergency Funding.  Congressman Forbes voted to support an amendment that would fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by using unspent funds from a variety of programs and therefore not adding to the federal deficit.  This amendment failed in the House by a vote of 176-239.

Keeping 9/11 Conspirators Out of the United States.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R.4738 to prohibit the use of any military installation in the U.S. for a court trial of any accused terrorist. Congressman Forbes introduced similar legislation last year that expressly prevents Guantanamo Bay detainees from being transferred to Virginia. The Administration is seeking new locations to hold civilian trials following opposition to trials in New York City.

Supported increasing U.S. preparedness for catastrophic earthquakes.  Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3820, which would improve programs aimed at reducing the damage caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes and windstorms.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 335-50.

Keeping America's Homeland Safe.  Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3961, to extend the USA PATRIOT Act for an additional year. The PATRIOT Act has been a crucial tool in the arsenal of law enforcement in keeping our country safe from future terror attacks.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 315-97.

Defended firefighters. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates concerned about the in sourcing of experienced firefighters serving at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The in sourcing plan would eliminate more that 85% of these highly experienced contracted firefighters who have performed effectively and efficiently for 57 years, due to the statutory requirement states that civil service firefighters cannot be older than 37 at the time of hire.

Voted to support improved cybersecurity. Congressman Forbes voted to support the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 4061, which tasks the National Science Foundation (NSF) with enhancing and coordinating cybersecurity efforts across the federal government.  Under the legislation, the NSF will work with agencies to develop, update, and implement plans to keep electronic information secure.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 422-5.

Supported urban area nuclear detection programs. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 2611 for the Securing the Cities Initiative, which is dedicated to protecting any city and its surrounding region against radiological or nuclear threats. The program establishes a ring of radiological detectors on highways, toll plazas, bridges, tunnels, and waterways. Currently, it is implemented only in New York City and is run as a partnership among New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut law enforcement groups.  This legislation was approved by voice vote.

Voted to support nuclear forensics capabilities. H.R. 730 urges new protocols for the exchange of sensitive information needed to identify the source of nuclear or radiological materials. Technical nuclear forensics is a critical component of attribution, which may deter states from aiding terrorists' efforts to carry out nuclear terrorism.  Most national security experts believe the proliferation of nuclear weapons represents one the greatest threat facing our country. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 397 – 10.

Supported anti-terrorism training. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3978, the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act, allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept resources and services related to preparedness and response to terrorism.  The bill passed by a vote of 413-1.

Supported Border Protection employee opportunities. Congressman Forbes supported H.R.1517, to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who have served overseas to receive a permanent appointment with their agency.   The bill passed by a vote of 414-1.

Supported human rights enforcement. Congressman Forbes supported S.1472, establishing a section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to enforce human rights laws.  The bill passed by a vote of 416-3. 

Sought answers on security requirements for trying 9/11 conspirators. During a classified House Armed Services Committee briefing, Congressman Forbes questioned legal experts within the Administration on the decision to try 9/11 conspirators in criminal court, rather than using the military commission set up by Congress after 9/11. Specifically, Forbes questioned the ability to swiftly bring justice, the additional security requirements and the potential protocol being established.

Opposing the Transfer of Terrorists to the United States.  Congressman Forbes signed a discharge petition to force H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. If the required 218 signature are collected, the House of Representatives would be forced to vote on stopping the transfer or release of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility into the United States.

Requested information on the transfer of terrorist detainees. Congressman Forbes cosponsored a Resolution of Inquiry,  H. Res. 920 requiring Attorney General Eric Holder to provide Congress with copies of all documents related to the decision to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to New York City for trial. 

Supported Firefighters and Emergency Responders.  Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3791, which reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program through 2014. Both programs provide grants to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the public and fire service personnel from fire and related hazards.  This bill passed by a vote of 395-31. 

Opposed burdensome manufacturing regulations. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 2868, which would haphazardly allow state regulations to supersede federal law in terms of homeland security compliance for chemical manufacturers and water treatment facilities. This legislation passed by a vote of 230-193.  

Supported America’s firefighters. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res.729 to honor and celebrate Federal, State, and local firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty. This legislation passed by a vote of 390-0.    

Funding Emergency Evacuation Exercises.  Congressman Forbes was instrumental in attaining funding to support an emergency response modeling and simulation initiative. The funding was included in the National Defense Authorization Act conference report, which passed the House of Representatives. It provided $2.7 million for a state wide modeling and simulation emergency evacuation/ crisis response exercise that will involve federal, state, and local officials at the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC).

Supported funding for border fencing and the e-Verify immigration program. Congressman Forbes voted to support H.R. 2892, the annual funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which will provide $44 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security for 2010.  The bill includes $800 million for border fencing and extends the E-verify program for three years. It also doubles current spending for explosive detection systems in airports and other transportation depots. The bill passed the House by a vote of 307-114.  

Secured funding for an Emergency Operations Center in Hopewell. The $250,000 funding was included as a part of H.R. 2892, the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations conference report. The center will be used to move primary public safety facilities from their current locations near an industrial hazard zone to a new Emergency Operations Center. The new Center will include a 911 dispatch center and will allow for improved EMT functions and additional space for emergency personnel.  

Prohibited releasing Guantanamo detainees into the U.S. Congressman Forbes introduced an amendment to prohibit the President from releasing Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States. The amendment was included in the annual defense bill conference report, which passed the House of Representatives last week. This measure would also require the President to provide a comprehensive detainee plan before transferring a GTMO detainee into the United States for the purposes of detention or prosecution.

Voted to ensure Guantanamo detainees are on the No Fly List. Congressman Forbes voted for a Motion to Instruct conferees, which would ensure that detainees are added to the No Fly List. Additionally, the measure prevents the release of any detainee photographs relating to detention and ensures the text of the Homeland Security spending bill has been available for at least 72 hours before being voted on. The Motion to Instruct passed by a vote of 238-163.

Called for requiring a plan before closing Guantanamo Bay. Congressman Forbes voted to support H.Res.636 in a House Judiciary Committee markup, which would require the Attorney General to provide a basic plan to Congress on the transfer or release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before the detention center were to close. Attorney General Eric Holder has kept secret the Administration’s plans for closing the facility and their intentions for the 200+ detainees currently housed there. Congressman Forbes visited the Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay facility two weeks ago. Read his thoughts here.

Supported a state-wide exercise to improve disaster preparedness. At Congressman Forbes’ request, funding was included in the Defense Appropriations bill, H.R. 3326, to create complex and collaborative exercises across the Commonwealth of Virginia to help strengthen disaster preparedness. The exercises will include cooperation between state, federal and local officials to prepare for both man made and natural disasters.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 400-30. 

Joined other members of the House Armed Services Committee to observe the operations at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility first-hand. Congressmen Forbes agreed with Attorney General Eric Holder and Navy Admiral Patrick Walsh that the facility is well run. The trip strongly reinforced to Congressman Forbes’ that transferring, housing, or prosecuting enemy combatants in the United States would be a national security mistake. Read his thoughts here.

Supported annual funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 2892, which will provide $42 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2010. The bill includes:

• $3 billion for State and Local Assistance and Grant Programs, such as the State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Citizen Corps program, Real ID grants, Port Security Grants, Bus Security Assistance, and the natural disaster exercise program. 
• $10 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to support border security, inspections, cargo screening, and detection technology. 
• $5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including $1.5 billion to identify illegal immigrants convicted of a crime who may be deportable, and to remove them from the United States once they are judged deportable.

Secured funding for the City of Hopewell to construct an Emergency Operations Center. The $250,000 funding was included as a part of H.R. 2892, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The center will house public safety facilities. 

Honored and congratulated the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.498, which supports the Border Patrol’s goals, objectives, and commitment to protecting the United States.

Asked Governor Kaine to oppose the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Virginia.  Congressman Forbes sent a letter asking Governor Kaine to support H.R. 1638 which would prevent detainees from being transported or housed in Virginia.

Supported keeping terrorists out of America. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R 2294, to prevent the release or transfer of Guantanamo detainees within the United States unless 1) the President certifies that each individual released does not pose a security risk for the United States, 2) both the Governor and state legislature of the state that would receive the detainees approve the transfer, and 3) the President provides detailed information to Congress on the detainees in question.

Voted to support H.R. 730, urging the President to develop a framework to determine the source of confiscated nuclear materials. The Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act also urges new protocols for the exchange of sensitive information needed to identify the source of nuclear or radiological materials. Most national security experts believe the proliferation of nuclear weapons represents one the greatest threat facing our country.

Voted to support H.Res. 195, to recognize and honor the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on its sixth anniversary for their continuous efforts to keep America safe.

Supported H.R. 553, the Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2009, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop policies to prevent the over-classification of information so that various law enforcement agencies are able to coordinate and share information relating to security, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction. 

Voted to support H.R. 559, the Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely (FAST) Redress Act.  The FAST Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop a process for individuals who believe they were delayed or prohibited from boarding a commercial aircraft because they were wrongly identified as a threat when screened against any terrorist watch list or database used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  

Supported H.R. 549, the National Bombing Prevention Act, which would establish an Office for Bombing Prevention in the Department of Homeland Security.  The Office will partner with other law enforcement agencies to develop a breeding program for explosives detection canines and continue to engage in explosives detection canine research and development through partnerships with the Science and Technology Directorate and Technical Support Working Group.

Voted to support H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008. This bill will provide $40 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2009. The bill includes:

• $838 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program, which is designed to help high-risk urban communities prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. Hampton Roads is classified as an urban center under the program and will receive a portion of the funding.
• $9.8 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which represents a $400 million increase from current funding levels. CBP funding will be used to hire 2,200 additional Border Patrol agents, 1,370 officers and specialists, and 600 technical and support staff.  The bill also provides $200 million to provide CBP officers with law enforcement retirement benefits, which will assist in recruiting and retaining officers.
• $5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including $1 billion to identify illegal immigrants convicted of a crime who may be deportable, and to remove them from the United States once they are judged deportable.
• $250,000 for the Emergency Operations Center in Chesterfield County, VA.  These funds will be used to enhance perimeter security. 

Supported H. Res. 1429, commending the employees of the Department of Homeland Security and their partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide for their dedicated service on the Nation's front lines in the war against acts of terrorism.

Voted in support of S. 2606, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, which would authorize $292 million from FY 2009 through FY 2012 for the U.S. Fire Administration. The bill would allow the agency to make contracts with certain nationally recognized organizations to provide training to fire service personnel and increase the amounts available for such training. The agency would also be required to upgrade the National Fire Incident Reporting system.

Voted to support H. Res. 1420, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to recognize September 11^th as a day of solemn commemoration.  Congressman Forbes attended the Pentagon Memorial Dedication Ceremony to observe the seven year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Signed a letter supporting Old Dominion University’s application to host a DHS Center of Excellence for Command, Control and Interoperability in Virginia.   There are currently 13 Department of Homeland Security’s Centers of Excellence around the country specializing in various aspects of homeland defense. ODU has proposed to lead a team composed of Hampton University, James Madison University, University of Virginia, Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, and the application is currently pending before the Department of Homeland Security.

Supported H.R. 5170, the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 2008.  This bill designates a full-time privacy official for agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The privacy officials will ensure DHS programs sustain or enhance privacy protections.

Supported H.R. 5983, the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008.  This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to regularly update security protocols against attacks on its information infrastructure. 

Supported H.R. 5531, the Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008.  This bill requires the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to enter into an agreement on standards for advanced screening devices used to detect radiological and nuclear material. 

Voted in favor of H.R. 2490, requiring a program for maritime biometric identification of aliens unlawfully attempting to enter the United States.  This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to photograph and fingerprint illegal aliens who attempt to enter the United States by sea.

Supported H.R. 6193, Improving Public Access to Documents Act of 2008.  This bill orders the Department of Homeland Security to develop a framework to allow the public disclosure of unclassified information and documents. 

Supported H.R. 3815, the Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act of 2008.  This bill ensures that the Department of Homeland Security shares publicly available information with appropriate federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. 

Voted to support H.R. 6304, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) Amendment Act of 2008.  Congressman Forbes said the following on the House floor: “This is a bipartisan bill that we should have had a year ago…Thank goodness we have it today…Those who benefit the most will never know it because they never became victims, because we were able to stop those terrorist actions before they took place.” 

Supported H.R. 5909, the Catching Operational Vulnerabilities by Ensuring Random Testing (COVERT) Act of 2008.  The COVERT Act will enhance security at airports by preventing airport screeners from receiving advance notice of covert testing of security screening procedures. 

Supported H.R. 4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act of 2007.  This bill establishes an Office for Bombing Prevention within the Department of Homeland Security that will work to investigate, detect, deter, and protect against terrorist explosive attacks in the United States.

Supported H.R. 2631, the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act.  This bill urges the President to promote international agreements that will help determine the source of any confiscated nuclear material or weapon.  It also urges the development of international protocols to share sensitive information regarding confiscated nuclear materials. 

Introduced H.Res. 1178, which expresses support and sympathy for the citizens of Suffolk, Colonial Heights, and Brunswick for the tornadoes that struck these communities on April 28, 2008. Rep. Forbes introduced the resolution to express the gratitude and support of the House of Representatives to the hundreds of citizens that have volunteered their time and assistance as well as the first responders, emergency medical personnel, and state and local governments that have well prepared us to deal with the consequences of such a storm.  Rep. Forbes said "We thank God that no one was killed in this natural disaster, and we continue to pray for those who are injured and those who lost so much in this terrible incident. We have begun the process of coming together as a community to rebuild both the physical structures that were damaged as well as the lives that were impacted." All eleven members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation cosponsored the resolution.

Signed a discharge petition to require a vote on the FISA bill.  The FISA bill is needed to help intelligence officials monitor the communications of suspected terrorists overseas without first obtaining a warrant. A temporary fix of the FISA law, which was enacted in August 2007, expired in February, and House leaders have since refused to bring a bill to the floor that would make these changes permanent.  The Senate passed a FISA modernization bill in February by a vote of 68-29. The lawmakers were required to wait 30 legislative days before circulating the discharge petition, as dictated by House rules.

Opposed passage of H.R. 3773, the RESTORE Act, which would amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). In August, Congress took an important step toward modernizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 by enacting the Protect America Act of 2007 (PAA). While only in effect for less than four months, the PAA has temporarily allowed the United States to close an intelligence gap by enabling our intelligence professionals to collect, without a court order, foreign intelligence on targets located overseas. Unless reauthorized by Congress, however, the authority provided in the Protect America Act will expire in February 2008. H.R. 3773 would limit the collection of the foreign intelligence information that may be acquired by targeting persons outside the United States. The Protect America Act provides for court review of the procedures for determining that the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerns persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. H.R. 3773 would significantly increase the role of the court with respect to foreign intelligence targets located outside the United States. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of language that would have ensured that nothing in the bill would be construed to prohibit surveillance of, or grant any rights to, a state sponsor of terrorism or agents of state sponsors of terrorism. In addition, the language would have permitted the intelligence community to conduct surveillance of any person concerning an imminent attack on the United States, any U.S. person, including members of the Armed Forces, or an ally of the United States, Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, members of the al-Quds Iranian Revolutionary Guard, or any terrorist or terrorist organization. This language failed to garner enough votes to be included in H.R. 3773 and Congressman Forbes opposed the final bill.

Supported S. 966, the Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007, which would authorize the Secretary of State to employ foreign service retirees to assist in the processing of passport applications and visa applications. This assistance is needed due to recent changes in travel laws where U.S. citizens are now required to have a valid passport when traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Because of this change, passport processing times have increased greatly due to a high volume of requests.

Voted against H.R. 556, the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007, after the Senate weakened provisions passed earlier by the House of Representatives this year that strengthened the veto power of intelligence officials in the federal government to provide oversight on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). CFIUS is responsible for approving the foreign acquisition, merger, or takeover of U.S. companies, such as the UAE-based Dubai World Ports deal that did not move forward last year.

Voted against H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill would spend over $2.1 billion more than the President requested for Homeland Security, would prohibit the implementation of MaxHR, which gives the Department flexibility in managing its employees, and would remove a cap of 45,000 for the number of federal airport screeners. The bill also expands the Davis-Bacon provision, which requires employees to be paid at a wage that matches local area pay, to all federal projects.

Sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to inquire about the final rule for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Under CFATs, facilities that store specified chemical substances in excess of established thresholds would be required to complete an analysis to determine whether the facility presents a high level of security risk. In particular, Congressman Forbes sought information about the inclusion of propane on a list of chemical substances that would be subject to these storage thresholds. There are approximately 8,000 retail propane storage facilities and over 136,000 end-use customers such as farms, homeowners, small businesses, hospitals and retailers that may be required to complete a potentially burdensome and costly security risk analysis under this rule.

Voted for the National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act of 2007, H.R. 556, on February 28, 2007. This legislation passed the House of Representatives and proposes heightened security standards to be placed on foreign countries attempting to invest in U.S. businesses.

Joined the Congressional Fire Caucus (CFC), a bipartisan group of Members of Congress committed to the support of fire service legislation to benefit all first responders and to provide vital tools to assist local fire departments.