Honored law enforcement officers.  Congressman Forbes supported a bill (S.1053) that extends a permit for the construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.  This bill passed the House by a voice vote.

Introduced legislation to ensure retired law enforcement officers can carry firearms.  Congressman Forbes introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act, H.R. 3752, which permits qualified, retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon in other jurisdictions in order to increase public safety.  The bill also covers retired Amtrak officers, executive branch officers, and Federal Reserve officers.

Supported funding for missing children recovery programs. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 1933, which provides annual grants to the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in recovering missing children. The center specializes in child recovery techniques, technologies, and information sharing and coordination with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the AMBER Alert Coordinator, and the Silver Alert Coordinator. This bill passed the House by a vote of 417-5.

Increased funding for law enforcement officers.  Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 1139, the COPS Improvements Act of 2009, to increase funding for the COPS program from $1.05 billion to $1.80 billion annually.  The COPS program, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, awards grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire new officers and prosecutors, purchase new technology, and develop anti-drug task forces. A number of localities in the Fourth Congressional District have received funding through the COPS program including the City of Hopewell, Powhatan County, the City of Petersburg, the City of Chesapeake, and Chesterfield County.

Voted to support H.R. 1139, to increase funding for COPS programs, in a House Judiciary Committee markup. The COPS program awards grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire new officers and prosecutors, purchase new technology, and develop anti-drug task forces. This bill will increase funding for the COPS program from $1.05 billion to $1.80 billion annually. A number of localities in the Fourth Congressional District have received funding through the COPS program including the City of Hopewell, Powhatan County, the City of Petersburg, the City of Chesapeake, and Chesterfield County.

Cosponsored H.R. 1292, to establish a National White Collar Crime Center grants program to improve the investigation and prosecution of criminal and terrorist conspiracies and activities.  This legislation would provide training and research centers regionally, including within Virginia, Texas, and Michigan, to support state and local criminal justice agencies with maintaining intelligence-focused law enforcement strategies and information sharing capabilities.  

Voted in favor of H.R. 6045, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2008. This bill extends a federal grant program that provides bulletproof vests to state and local law enforcement until 2012. In 2007, the program provided $28.6 million to state and local law enforcement agencies across America. Last year, Virginia law enforcement officers received 3,000 vests under the program.

Voted in favor of H.R. 6853, the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force Act of 2008.  This bill establishes a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Nationwide Mortgage Task Force, which will investigate instances of mortgage fraud, establish a toll-free hotline, and create a database of mortgage industry license suspensions and revocations.  

Supported H.R. 5057, the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008. This bill provides federal grant money to states to reduce the DNA backlog in criminal investigations. $150 million will be spent annually over five years to assist states in collecting and processing DNA samples that will be used to help apprehend criminals.

Supported S. 431, the KIDS (Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators) Act of 2008. This bill requires convicted sex offenders to register an electronic mail address or other self-identification for Internet communication in the National Sex Offender Registry. A sex offender who knowingly fails to register this information is subject to a prison term of up to 10 years. The bill also requires the Attorney General to maintain a system available to social networking websites that permits the automated comparison of online identifiers to sex offender registries for the purpose of protecting the safety of users of such websites.  

Supported H.R. 6838, the CAMPUS (Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University Security) Safety Act of 2008. This bill establishes a National Center for Campus Public Safety. The Center will provide training for campus public safety agencies and help develop protocols to prevent, protect against, and respond to natural and man-made emergencies involving an immediate threat to the campus community.  

Supported S. 231, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program (Byrne-JAG).  This bill provides federal grants to state and local law enforcement divisions to help in fighting violent crime.  Byrne-JAG grants support drug task forces, crime victim and witness programs, prevention and education, and technology improvement initiatives.  Each state will receive a portion of the $600 million annual grant program.

Supported H. Con. Res. 369, honoring the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.  In this decade alone, DEA special agents have made over 240,000 arrests and seized over 5,500 kilograms of heroin, 650,000 kilograms of cocaine, 2,300,000 kilograms of marijuana, 13,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, and almost 80,000,000 dosage units of hallucinogens.   

Supported H.R. 5057, the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act, which provides federal grant money to states to reduce the DNA backlog in criminal investigations.  $150 million will be spent annually over five years to assist states in collecting and processing DNA samples that will be used to help apprehend criminals.  

Supported S. 3218, the Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2008, which extends the Child Safety Pilot program by an additional six months, enabling volunteer organizations to obtain national and state criminal history background checks on their volunteers.

Supported H.R. 5464, A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act, which provides $30 million over six years in federal grants to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in the rapid recovery of missing children. 

Supported H.R. 6083, to authorize funding for the National Advocacy Center in a House Judiciary Committee markup.  The National Advocacy Center (NAC) is located in South Carolina, and is a joint venture of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).  The NAC has provided education and training programs to more than 20,000 state and local prosecutors since 1998.  This bill provides NAC with $6 million in funding for 2009. 

Cosponsored H.Res. 856, a resolution expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. This resolution expresses gratitude to the city and county officials, and all the police, fire, sheriff, and emergency medical teams who responded swiftly to the scene and secured the mall and surrounding area. Congressman Forbes is a cosponsor of this resolution.

Cosponsored H.R. 4005, the Capturing On-line Predators Who Misrepresent Their Age Act. H.R. 4005 would establish criminal penalties for adults (over the age of 18) who knowingly misrepresent their age in an online communication to a minor with the purpose of persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing them to engage in sexual activity. One in five children is estimated to be approached online by a sexual predator.

Cosponsored H.R. 3971, the Deaths In Custody Act. The Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2000 directed the Bureau of Justice Statistics within the Department of Justice to collect data on deaths that occur in two primary stages of the criminal justice system: first, deaths that occur “in the process of arrest” or during transfer after arrest; and, second, deaths in jails and prisons. H.R. 3971 reauthorizes this data collection program and directs the Attorney General to commission a study of death in custody data to determine how to reduce deaths in custody and examine the relationship between deaths in custody and the management of jail and prison facilities.

Cosponsored H.R. 4175, the Privacy and Cybercrime Enforcement Act of 2007, legislation that would expand and tighten cyber crime laws to enhance data security. H.R. 4175 would broaden the jurisdiction of existing cyber crime provisions, create a new crime of cyber-extortion, prohibit conspiracies to commit cyber crime, and revise the penalty structure for cyber crime violations. Furthermore, H.R. 4175 would direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to revise cyber crime guidelines and would require notice to law enforcement of security breaches of sensitive personal information. The legislation would authorize the Attorney General and State Attorneys General to seek civil penalties or injunctive relief against persons who violate federal data privacy laws (e.g. credit reports, banking information).

Voted in favor of H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2007. H.R. 3845 would establish the Office of Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. The Special Counsel, who would be appointed by the Attorney General, will be responsible for coordinating the policies and strategies of Department for the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases, coordinating with other agencies, and directing the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. ICAC is comprised of state and local law enforcement task forces in each state. The purpose of the task forces is to increase prosecutions, training, investigations and awareness of internet crimes against children.

Voted in favor of H.R. 719, the Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007. H.R. 719 would require that, in addition to existing registry requirements, sex offenders must report any electronic mail address, instant message address, or other similar Internet identifier the sex offender used or will use to communicate over the Internet. The offender must also update his or her information prior to use of a new email or instant message address. The bill would require the Attorney General to maintain a system allowing a commercial social networking website to compare the database of registered users of that commercial social networking website to the list of electronic mail addresses, instant message addresses, and other similar Internet identifiers of persons in the National Sex Offender Registry. The bill would provide liability protections for social networking sites that use the registry appropriately for screening users or to compare their list of users with the registry. The bill would also create a penalty of fines and up to 20 years in prison for any person 18 years or older who knowingly misrepresents their age with the intent to use the Internet to engage in criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, or to facilitate or attempt such conduct.

Voted in favor of H.R. 4136, the Enhancing the Effective Prosecution of Child Pornography Act of 2007. Under current money laundering statutes, violators are those that knowingly conduct or attempt to conduct a financial transaction which involves the proceeds of “specified unlawful activities.” HR 4136 would add child pornography when it involves minors and the production of pornography for importation into the United States to the list of unlawful activities. The bill adds “knowingly accesses child pornography on the internet with intent to view it” to a list of violations that are subject to penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment for 20 years.

Voted in favor of H.R. 3461, the Safeguarding America’s Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies (SAFER NET) Act of 2007. H.R. 3461 would require Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carry out a nationwide public awareness and education campaign regarding Internet safety. By coordinating with Federal, State, and local governments as well as nonprofit organizations, private technology and financial companies, Internet providers, and others, the FTC would be able to encourage Internet safety best practices, establish national outreach and education programs, and facilitate access to Internet safety information and education.

Cosponsored the Protecting Americans Fighting Terrorism Act, H.R. 2291. This bill would prevent lawsuits against American citizens who report suspicious activity to law enforcement officials. This type of reporting is a helpful resource to law enforcement officers in fighting terrorism.

Cosponsored H.R. 3156, the Violent Crime Control Act, an omnibus crime bill that includes measures to strengthen law enforcement, reduce violent crime, protect against terrorist attacks, combat and apprehend sex offenders, and tear down criminal gang networks. The bill was unveiled at press conference with Republican Leader John Boehner and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith, which Congressman Forbes participated in, on July 25, 2007.

Introduced H.R. 2797 with Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), which would establish a National White Collar Crime Center grants program for the purposes of improving the identification, investigation, and prosecution of criminal and terrorist conspiracies and activities.

Supported H.R. 2286, the Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2007. H.R. 2286 mandates that a bail bond may only be forfeited if a defendant fails to appear in court as ordered by a judicial officer. Under H.R. 2286, judges remain solely charged with determining when a defendant poses a flight risk or is a threat to the community.

Supported H.R. 2640, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. H.R. 2640 would require federal agencies to provide timely, accurate and relevant records for use in NICS, and would create incentives for states to provide relevant, timely and accurate records for use in NICS so that any record disqualifying an individual from purchasing a gun would be made more accessible in an expeditious manner. NICS would be further "cleaned up" by requiring the removal of expired, incorrect or otherwise irrelevant records. The bill also requires an audit by GAO to determine how much has been spent on criminal history improvements to NICS.

Joined House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of a provision in the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that would ensure that firearm trace data is made available only to federal, state, and local agencies "in connection with and for use in a bona fide criminal investigation or prosecution" or for use in administrative actions by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF is the principal agency responsible for overseeing the conduct of federally licensed firearms dealers.

Introduced H.R. 2726, the Law Enforcement Safety Officers Act. Under current law, qualified retired law enforcement officers must carry the required documents, including state-issued identification verifying the officers' firearms qualifications, in order to carry a firearm. Some states have refused to issue this identification. To address this issue, the legislation would provide an alternative to a state-issued document and would require retired law enforcement officers to carry a certification from a firearms instructor stating that they meet the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training as established by the state or a law enforcement agency in that state.

Participated in a hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on H.R. 2286, the Bail Bonds Fairness Act. H.R. 2286 limits the circumstances for which bail bonds can be forfeited. Under this legislation, bail bonds would only be forfeited when a defendant fails to appear in court. Congressman Forbes asked the witnesses how often bail bonds are forfeited for reasons other than a failure to appear and the role bail bondsmen should play in those situations.

Cosponsored the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act. This legislation would make it illegal to manufacture, create, distribute or possess, with intent to distribute, controlled substances that are flavored, colored, packaged or otherwise altered in a way that is designed to appeal to a person under 21 years of age.

Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on H.R. 1943, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act about current practices for testing inmates for HIV/AIDS. This legislation would require routine HIV testing for all federal prison inmates upon entry and prior to release from Federal Bureau of Prison facilities unless the inmate refuses the test. Under the proposal, the Bureau of Prisons would have six months from enactment to offer HIV/AIDS testing for current inmates. Congressman Forbes is a cosponsor of this legislation.

Cosponsored H.R. 2325, the Court and Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act, legislation that would increase penalties for crimes committed against United States judges and federal law enforcement officers. It would also authorize federal judges and prosecutors to carry firearms and assist in the implementation of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act, allowing retired police officers to carry concealed firearms.

Cosponsored H.R. 2466, the Violent Crime Reduction Act, legislation that would increase penalties for violent crimes in conjunction with racketeering activities and create a new criminal offense for violent acts committed during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In addition, this legislation would increase the enhanced penalties for the use of a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. It also allows the Attorney General to establish anti-gang task forces, consisting of federal, state and local law enforcement for the investigation and prosecution of violent gangs.

Supported H.R. 1700, the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Improvements Act of 2007. The COPS program awards grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire police officers or obtain new crime-fighting technology. H.R. 1700 passed with two amendments offered successfully by Congressman Forbes in the Judiciary Committee: the first amendment would require an Inspector General audit of the effectiveness of the COPS program, and the second amendment would allow state and local law enforcement to use COPS grants to fund local officer participation in gang task forces, which provide officers with training and information-sharing on gangs.

Supported H.R. 916, the John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007. This legislation would establish a loan forgiveness program within the Department of Justice for qualified state and local prosecutors and qualified federal, state and local public defenders. More than 80% of law students take out loans to pay for their law degree, often totaling over $100,000, with state prosecutors' and public defenders' entry-level salary average of $46,000 and $43,000, respectively. The recruitment and retention of public prosecutors and defenders has been difficult in recent years because burden of student debt deters many law graduates from pursuing public service careers.

Cosponsored H. Res. 340, a resolution that raises public awareness for the rights of crime victims, highlighting the importance of providing a voice for the many victims and families involved in missing persons cases and unidentified human remains cases. There are approximately 40,000 sets of human remains held in the property rooms of medical examiners, coroners, and police departments across the country that cannot be identified by conventional means and only 6,000 of those have been entered into federal databases. This legislation would support continued federal funding for DNA testing and the Combined DNA Index System; greater cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement; and, comprehensive training and education for the law enforcement agencies involved in missing persons cases and unidentified human remains cases.

Voted in favor of H.Res. 264, a resolution supporting "National Correctional Officers and Employees Week," honoring the service of correctional officers and employees during the first week of May. Correctional personnel play a vital role in protecting the public from criminal activity.

Voted against H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would designate special categories of crime victims who are targeted based on their perceived or actual race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, but does not include certain groups such as the elderly or the men and women of the Armed Forces. This legislation would require law enforcement officials to ascertain the specific thoughts and motivations that a perpetrator may have had while committing a violent crime, in order to stiffen the penalty for the underlying offense. Congressman Forbes opposes hate crime laws because they improperly focus on personal beliefs, rather than actual conduct. H.R. 1592 passed the House of Representatives on May 3, 2007 by a vote of 237 - 180. 

Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on security requirements for the judicial branch. The Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting the judicial branch at the federal level, testified that over 1,100 threats were made against members of the judicial branch and their families during fiscal year 2006. In recent years, violence involving judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, witnesses, law enforcement officers and courthouse employees has risen at unprecedented levels. With threats extending beyond the courthouse itself, additional security is being considered for the areas in which court personnel live and work.

Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security about the recent rise in violent crime, the need for more state and local prosecutors and defenders, and witness security programs in state and local courts. Congressman Forbes asked the witnesses how localities could use technology to innovate their policing tactics in order to better leverage manpower. 

Voted against H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act, in a House Judiciary Committee mark-up. This legislation would create selected categories of crime victims, who are targeted based on their perceived or actual race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, but does not include certain groups such as the men and women of the Armed Forces. Congressman Forbes opposed this legislation because of its improper focus on personal belief and protection of select categories, rather than focusing on actual conduct or strengthening criminal penalties for violent crime.

Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security about employer access to federal crime databases for background checks on potential employees. Employers are becoming increasingly interested in obtaining criminal history information to screen an individual's suitability for employment, licensing, or placement. Currently, federal law allows background checks by the federal government for specific industries in the interest of public safety and national security. The discussion focused on expanding access to the databases, the needs of employers and the privacy rights of prospective employees.

Cosponsored H.Res. 306, a resolution offering support and condolences for the Virginia Tech community following the tragedy that occurred on Monday, April 16. This legislation passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote on April 18, 2007. Congressman Forbes' penned an initial statement and shared his thoughts in a column, Prevailing Over Tragedy.

Questioned witnesses on the Second Chance Act, H.R. 1593, at a hearing in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Congressman Forbes asked about the effectiveness of programs for prisoners returning to communities after they have served their sentence. The Second Chance Act would help states and localities to better address the growing population of prisoners returning to communities by expanding the use of mentors, offering transitional housing programs and improving educational and drug treatment programs.

Joined Congressman Bobby Scott and other members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales requesting that the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation receive the funding it needs to carry out law enforcement training in fiscal year 2007. VCPI has trained almost 25,000 law enforcement officers in the state of Virginia since 1997 in over 900 courses.

Sponsored "The Gangbuster Bill," H.R. 880, The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2007. The bill is aimed at ripping apart criminal gang networks by increasing tools and resources for local, state, and federal police and mandating tough sentences for violent criminal gang acts. This bill previously passed the House of Representatives twice in the 109th Congress but failed to pass through the Senate.

Met with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to discuss the agenda for the House Judiciary Committee in the 110th Congress. Congressman Forbes outlined the importance of America's Law and Order Agenda to address rising youth and gang violence across the country.

Questioned witnesses at a Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on "Youth Violence and Gang Interventions." Congressman Forbes, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, had the opportunity to discuss the nationwide gang violence epidemic, prevention and intervention programs and law enforcement needs with experts from universities, law enforcement and community outreach programs.

Cosponsored nine bills as part of America's Law and Order Agenda and led the unveiling of this legislative package at a press conference on Tuesday, February 6. Congressman Forbes released a statement on the agenda and also spoke with the Washington Times regarding the crime initiatives. The package included the following bills:
    - The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2007 
    - The Internet Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today's Youth (SAFETY) Act of 2007 
    - The Cyber-Security Enhancement and Data Protection Act of 2007 
    - The Death Penalty Reform Act of 2007 
    - The Criminal Terrorism Improvements Act of 2007 
    - The Criminal Restitution Improvement Act of 2007 
    - The Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 
    - The Drug Trafficking Elimination Act of 2007 
    - The Death for Terrorists Act of 2007

Joined the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, which organizes Members to advocate on behalf of missing and exploited children and to increase awareness on how to best protect children and families from predators.