Voting Against a Government Takeover of Healthcare Congressman Forbes joined 214 Republicans and Democrats in the House in voting against a government takeover of healthcare, H.R. 3962. This sweeping legislation costs more than $1 trillion and raises $730 billion in new taxes on individuals and small businesses at a time when unemployment is at 10%. Click here to read Congressman Forbes’ statement on the bill’s passage. This legislation passed by a vote of 220-215.
	Providing Healthcare Coverage for Preexisting Conditions Congressman Forbes supported a substitute amendment to H.R. 3962, which would have guaranteed coverage for those individuals with preexisting conditions without increasing the federal deficit. In addition, the amendment would have also reduced costly medical lawsuits and preserved Medicare benefits for seniors.  This measure failed by a vote of 176-258.
	Supporting Emergency Access to Retirement Accounts  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 3612, which would waive the normal 10 percent early withdrawal penalty for retirement plans such as 401ks and Investment Retirement Accounts (IRAs), for individuals who have received 26 weeks of unemployment compensation. In times of financial hardship, penalty free withdrawals can help families avoid foreclosures on homes, maintain healthcare payments, and prevent long-term damage to their credit.

 

Supported protecting Medicare benefits for seniors. Congressman Forbes voted to amend the healthcare bill to ensure seniors do not lose any necessary coverage that could result from the $500 billion in Medicare cuts included in the current health care bill, H.R. 3962.  
This amendment failed by a vote of 187-247. 

Submitted three amendments to the healthcare bill. These amendments would have 1) protected consumers from certain insurance cancellations, 2) prioritized federal ethical stem cell research towards those that seem most likely to cure and treat patients, and 3) increased the use of medical modeling & simulate to reduce medical errors and save billions in healthcare costs. None of these bipartisan proposals were considered by the House majority leadership. Of the 216 amendments submitted by Members of Congress to the Majority for consideration, only two amendments were accepted.

 

Made the healthcare bill available to the public. Congressman Forbes delivered copies of the healthcare reform bill, H.R. 3962, to public libraries across the Fourth District prior to voting on the bill.

Improved care for breast cancer patients. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1740, which would provide funding for healthcare professional education and breast cancer survivor care research. 

Protected patients from unnecessary radiation exposure. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 3652, which would prohibit Medicaid reimbursements to states for medical imaging and radiation therapy unless they meet certain requirements for minimum licensing standards. 

Opposed federal funding for abortion. Congressman Forbes supported an amendment to H.R. 3962, offered by Congressmen Joseph Pitts and Bart Stupak, to prohibit federal funding of abortion in the healthcare bill.
This amendment passed by a vote of 240-194.   

Addressed disparity in Fort Lee per diem rates. Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA) expressing his concern over the wide disparity between federal lodging and food rates between Richmond and the Fort Lee area. The letter is in support of the Crater Planning District Commission’s own request to the GSA to increase federal per diem rates for the area.
 

Extended and expanded tax credits for homebuyers. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3548 to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credits until April 30, 2010. The credits were previously scheduled to expire on November 30, 2009. The bill would allow individuals to claim the tax credit for purchases in 2010 on their 2009 tax returns, meaning the credit could be received quickly. In addition, the bill added a $6,500 credit for current homeowners, as long as they have lived in their current homes for five consecutive years. The bill also raised the qualifying income cap from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples, to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill is revenue neutral and is paid for through a number of offsets. 
This legislation passed by a vote of 403 -12.   

Supported families affected by contaminated drywall. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Con. Res 197, which encourages banks and mortgage brokers to work with the families who have been affected by contaminated drywall in their homes. The Chinese drywall was used in many homes across the United States and has been proven to cause corrosion of pipes and wiring, and possible health risks. Rep. Forbes is a member of the Congressional Dry Wall Caucus.
   

Addressed the 2009 graduating class of the Apprentice School at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Congressman Forbes urged the graduates to continue their excellence in ship repair that allows our Navy to protect our nation and the sea lanes that carry so much of the world’s trade. 

Called for the timely response and processing of VA disability claims. The Department of Veterans Affairs added three new illnesses to its list of service-connected disabilities. Because this will lead to a dramatic rise in claims, Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs seeking to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the capacity to deal with such claims. 

Honored one of our nation’s finest men in uniform. Congressman Forbes had the privilege to present several military medals to Mr. James Hornshaw of Chesapeake for his service in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
 

Supported veterans training for new jobs. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 1168, which gives eligible veterans financial assistance while training to learn high-demand skills.

This legislation passed by a vote of 356-0. 

 

Supported the National Veterans’ History Project. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res. 866, which designates a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage participation in a project that gathers the stories of American veterans of war.

This resolution passed by a vote of 389-0. 

 

Congratulated Air Force Academy graduates. Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res.139, congratulating the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy on their 50th anniversary of graduation.

This resolution passed by a vote of 411-0. 
 

Honored women who have served in the Armed Forces. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res. 868, honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces.

This resolution passed by a vote of 366-0. 

 

Supported veteran-owned small businesses. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3949, which strengthens existing laws in order to improve the benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This legislation passed by a vote of 382-2.  

Testified in support of the Petersburg National Battlefield Expansion. Congressman Forbes offered testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands in support of H.R. 3388. The bill would expand the boundaries of the Petersburg National Battlefield to include an additional 7,200 acres of land. 

Called for work-site enforcement actions. Congressman Forbes joined other members in sending a letter to President Obama encouraging him to save and create jobs for Americans by continuing worksite enforcement actions that prevent illegal immigrants from taking American jobs. 

Commended worker training efforts. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res. 880, which recognizes the efforts of career and technical colleges to train workers in high-demand industries.
This resolution passed by a vote of 409-0.

Supported gambling prevention research. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2906, which would fund prevention messages, gambling treatment methods, and research into the causes of gambling addiction.
 

Honored the Gettysburg Address. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 736, honoring the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and recognizing November 19th as "Dedication Day" in honor of the Gettysburg Address. 
This resolution passed by a vote of 393-0.

Urged President Obama to support Israel at the UN. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 867, which calls on the President and the Secretary of State to oppose the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict." The report is widely considered to be biased against Israel.
This resolution passed by a vote of 344-36.  

Commemorated the Berlin Airlift. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 398, recognizing the success of the United States’ 1949 Berlin Airlift that brought food and supplies to starving residents of Berlin, Germany who were being blockaded by Soviet forces.

This resolution passed by a vote of 367-0.  

Honored the U.S. relationship with Jordan. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res. 833, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
This resolution passed by voice vote.   

Supported human rights activists. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 877, expressing support for Chinese human rights activists Huang Qi and Tan Zuoren for engaging in peaceful expression as they seek answers and justice for the parents whose children were killed in the Sichuan earthquake of May 12, 2008.
This resolution passed by a vote of 426-1. 

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.  

Called for hearing on ACORN.  Congressman Forbes joined 15 members of the Judiciary Committee in sending a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers requesting he convene a hearing regarding the wrongful and potentially criminal conduct of ACORN.