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Healthcare
Recognized the need for advanced research for diabetes. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 69, which recognizes the need to continue research into the causes, treatment, education, and an eventual cure for diabetes. The bill also commends hospitals, community clinics, educational institutes, and other organizations that work to increase diabetes awareness and conduct research for methods to help patients and families suffering from diabetes. This bill passed by a vote of 420-0. Veterans
Recognized the sacrifice and service of Korean War Veterans. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 2632 to add National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the flag of the United States should be displayed. This bill passed by a vote of 421-0. Environment
Law Enforcement
Supported programs to increase hunger awareness and prevention. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 270 to recognize the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions of those programs’ efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in need. The bill passed the House by a vote of 418-1. Opposed trade with the Burmeses military regimes. Congressman Forbes supported H.J.Res. 56 to approve the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. This legislation renews, for three years, the President's authority to ban the import of Burmese products. The bill passed the House by unanimous consent. This bill passed the House by a vote of 393-35. Discussed important Fourth District transportation issues with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation. Congressman Forbes met with Virginia Secretary of Transportation, Pierce Homer, to discuss important transportation issues impacting the Fourth District of Virginia, including the restoration of the Highway Trust Fund, the closing of Virginia’s rest areas, and the future of high speed rail in the Fourth District. Provided housing opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 1675, to modify housing requirements under the National Affordable Housing Act in order to expand the supply of supportive housing for low-income persons with disabilities. Questioned the constitutional rights of enemy combatants. Congressman Forbes, a member of the House Armed Services Committee voted in committee for H.Res.602 requiring a report of how the reading of Miranda rights is applied to enemy combatants. This resolution questions how this procedure may impact post capture interrogations and intelligence gathering activities, and the overall counterinsurgency strategy. Questioned senior Defense and Justice Officials on the plan to prosecute enemy combatants, including the co-conspirators of the 9/11 attacks. Congressman Forbes, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, shared his concerns with delaying the trial or hearing the cases in Federal Courts rather than Military Courts. Supported the goals of the dairy industry. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 507 to recognize the goals of National Dairy Month and the dairy industry's important role in the economic and nutritional well being of Americans. The legislation commends dairy farmers for their hard work and commitment to the U.S. economy and to the preservation of open space. Voted to control government spending by including annual federal spending under pay-go rules. Congressman Forbes supported an amendment to H.R. 2920 that would would base federal spending on a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It would cap total government spending at 21.7% of gross domestic product by 2015. The amendment failed in the House by a vote of 169 – 259. For more information on Congressman Forbes' work to control government spending, click here. Voted against the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009. “Pay-Go” is a term used to describe a rule in Congress that requires any new spending and tax cuts to be offset by cuts or revenues somewhere else in the budget. This pay-go bill contained so many loopholes that it is ineffective. For example, H.R. 2920 exempts all discretionary spending from pay-go rules, which makes up 40% of all government spending. Rising discretionary spending is one of the major reasons we are facing a massive federal deficit. Furthermore, some of the biggest spending proposals, such as the bailout and stimulus packages, would be exempt from pay-go altogether under this new bill. H.R. 2920 passed the House by a vote of 265-166. This bill passed by a vote of 256-168. Voted against excessive government spending. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 3293, which contained a 7% increase in spending, or $11.1 billion, over last year’s level for federal labor, health and human services, and education programs. The bill also removes the ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs in the United States. The bill passed the House by a vote of 264-153.
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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. |