Congressman Randy Forbes
Send me an email | Forward to a Friend
Weeks of October 12 - October 16, 2009 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
  Demanding Bill Text Availability for Members and the Public

Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 835, which would require Congressional committees to post the text of adopted bills and amendments online within 24 hours of passage. In addition to this, Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill, H.Res.694, to strengthen the rules of the House of Representatives to make it easier for Members of Congress to request that a bill be read aloud on the House floor before it is voted on.
  Seeking Facts on Strategy in Afghanistan

Congressman Forbes participated in a House Armed Services Committee hearing in which various Washington defense policy analysts considered options for the war in Afghanistan. Congressman Forbes took this opportunity to question General Jack Keane, former Vice Chief of the Army, one of the panelists, about the overall strategy for Afghanistan since 2001. To read Congressman Forbes' questions, click here.
  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).

 

Veterans

Garnered support for resolution honoring fallen troops. Congressman Forbes announced that the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has pledged their support for H.R. 1034. The bill was introduced by Congressman Forbes and would designate the Honor and Remember Flag as an official symbol to recognize and honor members of the Armed Forces who gave “the last full measure of devotion” in the line of duty.

Supported a Vietnam War Memorial Visitors Center. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3689 allowing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to construct a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitors Center between the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National mall.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 390-0. 

Homeland Security

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.  

Labor

Recognized the importance of balancing work and family. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res. 768, to designate the month of October as "National Work and Family Month."
The resolution passed by a vote of 415-0.

Foreign Affairs


Supported sanctions against Iran. Congressman Forbes voted for the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, H.R. 1327, which makes it the policy of the United States to support state and local governments and educational institutions that take action to prohibit investment with any person that has more than a $20 million investment in Iran’s energy sector.
This bill passed by a vote of 414-6.

Offered condolences to the victims of tsunamis in Samoa. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.816 to mourn the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that occurred on September 29, 2009 in American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga. 
This resolution passed by a vote of 422-0.  
                     
Supported Freedom of Speech and Free Exercise of Religion. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.Res.763, a resolution which urges United Nations Member States to support the freedom of expression and religious liberty and oppose ‘defamation of religion’ resolutions.

Transportation

Improved airline safety. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3371, which enacts several new safety requirements related to increasing pilot training and increasing qualifications on commercial aviation transportation.
This bill passed by a vote of 409-1.
About Washington Update

Washington Update serves as a resource to the constituents of the Fourth Congressional District of Virginia on the work of Congressman Forbes. It is published weekly while Congress is in session. Hyperlinks to bill information are provided if the information disseminated by the House of Representatives is available at the time of distribution.

As always, Congressman Forbes welcomes your comments. To share your thoughts on legislation, votes or issues, please visit http://randyforbes.house.gov to send an e-mail or call any of Congressman Forbes' three district offices.

Home | Contact | Forward to a Friend | Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy | Office Locations
Please do not reply to this message. This email address does not accept incoming messages. To send an email, click here.