Opposed marriage penalties in healthcare reform. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing his opposition to subsidy structures in healthcare reform legislation, which imposes a penalty against couples for being married. Several provisions in the proposed health care bills would penalize married couples.

Supported accelerated disability benefits for those with Huntington’s Disease. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 678, which would ensure individuals affected by Huntington’s Disease receive important care in the early stages of the disease.

Supported funding for Type 1 diabetes research and diabetes treatment. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 3668, which would renew the Special Diabetes Program and increase funding for diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health. The Special Diabetes Program represents 35% of all federal research on Type 1 diabetes.
 
Supported the recognition of patients and survivors of cervical cancer. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.1011, to raise public awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.
This legislation passed by a vote of 400-0.

Supported a pay freeze for Members of Congress. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 4255, to block the next automatic pay increase from taking effect in 2011. 

Opposed allowing Gitmo detainees to return to terror networks. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Detainee Transfer and Release Security Act of 2010, H.R. 4490, which would prevent the release of detainees from being released to countries that 1) are state sponsors of terrorism, 2) do not have control of their territory, or 3) have a history of allowing detainees to return to terrorism. The senior leader of the organization that was responsible for planning and coordinating the Christmas Day terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253 is a former Guantanamo Bay detainee.

Questioned the role political correctness played in the Fort Hood shooter investigation. Congressman Forbes questioned the panel that produced the final report on the Fort Hood incident, which does not contain a single reference to Major Nidal Hasan, the alleged attacker, nor his alleged ties to Islamic extremist groups. Congressman Forbes asked why the report did not examine how political correctness played a role in identifying Major Nidal Hasan in his performance reviews and as a threat to our citizens and soldiers.   

Heard testimony at a House Armed Services Committee that called a Mayport move a “waste of money.” Congressman Forbes questioned a panel of distinguished naval analysts during a HASC Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee hearing. Mr. Loren Thompson, CEO of the Lexington Institute, stated stating that moving an aircraft carrier from Norfolk, Virginia to Mayport, Florida would be “a waste of money” and that the move would border on “scandalous.”

Disassembled the Pentagon's rationale for moving a carrier to Mayport. Congressman Forbes participated in the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Quadrennial Defense Review, where he questioned Michele Flournoy, the third-ranking official at the Pentagon, on whether replicating nuclear infrastructure to move an aircraft carrier from Norfolk, Virginia to Mayport, Florida is a wise use of taxpayer dollars given the increasing threat from China and mounting budget challenges. Watch their exchange here.

Questioned the Pentagon’s priorities amidst numerous funding shortfalls. Congressman Forbes questioned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen on the Pentagon funding priorities. He asked the witnesses to prioritize the following four big budget items: 1) the lowest military pay raise in over 30 years, 2) a $3 billion shortfall in naval shipyard infrastructure, 3) a looming 125-fighter plane shortfall in the Navy, and 4) up to $1 billion to move a carrier from Norfolk, VA to Mayport, FL. The witnesses declined to prioritize one shortfall as more critical than any other.

Requested a House Armed Services Committee hearing on shipbuilding. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to Chairman Ike Skelton requesting a hearing on the Navy shipbuilding plan that was delivered to Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on shipbuilding this year could significantly affect future U.S. military national security capabilities, including the shipbuilding industrial base.

Insisted on a world-class standard of care for service members at Walter Reed Medical Center. Congressman Forbes cosigned a letter to William Lynn, Deputy Secretary of Defense expressing concern about construction at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda. There is concern that the current plan would not result in a world-class facility or meet accreditation standards.

Joined the Hampton Roads Congressional delegation at the fifth annual M&S Leadership Summit. Congressman Forbes, co-chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, spoke at the National Training and Simulation Association M&S Leadership Summit where he laid out a three-point plan to support and expand this industry. Congressman Forbes stressed the importance of the M&S industry garnering official recognition by the Departments of Labor and Commerce to expand industry visibility and attract a strong workforce.  M&S has become a $640 million industry employing over 5,000 people with an average salary of $83,000 each year in Hampton Roads.

Supported the extension of important small-business assistance programs. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 4508 to reapprove the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and other Small Business Administration programs designed to help small high-tech businesses in federal research activities and help commercialize cutting-edge high-tech research.

Supported raising awareness for mentoring. Congressman Forbes voted to support the designation of “National Mentoring Month”, H. Res. 990, to highlight the critical role mentors play in helping young people realize their potential.
This legislation passed by a vote of 398-0.

Honored the contributions of Catholic schools. Congressman Forbes supported the goals of Catholic Schools Week and recognized the contributions of thousands of Catholic elementary and high schools in the country, H. Res. 1008.
This resolution was approved by voice vote.

Supported individual property rights. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 3726 to establish the Castle Nugent National Historic Site on the island of St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This bill costs $45 million and does not contain a “willing seller” provision to protect property owners from eminent domain.
This legislation passed by a vote of 240-175.

Voted against excessive government spending. Congressman Forbes voted against three bills, H.R. 3254, H.R. 3342 and H.R. 1065, which would spend approximately $650 million to resolve outstanding Indian water rights claims in Arizona and New Mexico.  Congressman Forbes was concerned that Congress lacked sufficient information to determine whether these expenditures represent a net benefit to the taxpayer at this time.
H.R. 3254, H.R. 3342, and H.R. 1065 passed the House by votes of 254-158, 249-153, and 262-147, respectively.

Supported tax benefits for charitable donations to Haiti. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 4462, to treat charitable cash contributions for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti made after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, as eligible for 2009 tax deductions.
This legislation was approved by voice vote.

Honored Martin Luther King, Jr. Congressman Forbes spoke at the 2010 Chesapeake Martin Luther King Leadership Breakfast, where the theme was “Preserving Leadership.” Congressman Forbes spoke about the Congressional Prayer Caucus, of which he is the founder and chairman, and the need to pray for and sustain our leaders.

Supported efforts to eradicate poverty in the United States. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.1024, to recognize those individuals and organizations that provide essential services to those in need and to designate January 2010 as Poverty in America Awareness Month.
This legislation passed by a vote of 387-18.

Questioned a top military official on recent security developments in China. Congressman Forbes questioned the top military official in the Pacific, Admiral Robert Williard, on recent security developments in China. Testimony by Admiral Willard revealed that for the first time, China’s 290 navy ships exceed the number of U.S. navy ships.  Less than a year ago, the Department of Defense estimated that China had just 260 ships.

Offered testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Congressman Forbes was invited to testify regarding the rise of Chinese non-military influence in Southeast Asia and its implications for U.S. policy and regional security. Congressman Forbes believes that responding assertively to Chinese boundary tests in Southeast Asia ensures that China does not underestimate our Nation’s resolve to be a friend to our allies, and a peaceful, democratic presence in the region.

Voted to support deferred attorneys’ fees for Social Security disability applicants. Congressman Forbes supported the Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010, H.R. 4532, which would permanently extend attorneys’ fees withholding procedures to allow Social Security and Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) recipients to pay legal fees directly out of a claimant’s benefits.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 412-6.

Supported stalking awareness and prevention. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.960 to designate January 2010 as "National Stalking Awareness Month" to raise awareness and encourage prevention of stalking.
This resolution passed the House by voice vote.

Cosponsored a resolution reaffirming the 10th Amendment. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 1006 to reaffirm the commitment of Congress to safeguard and uphold the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, which reserves powers to the States that are not specifically delegated to the federal government.   

Supported a national missing persons database. Congressman Forbes supported Billy’s Law, H.R. 3695, in the House Judiciary Committee, which would create the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database. An estimated 40,000 sets of human remains are being held in coroner offices across the country. Only about 6,000 have been entered into the FBI’s database. NamUs will create a universal database and allow coroners, examiners, and other authorities to enter in information.
This legislation was approved by voice vote.

Supported additional bankruptcy judges. Congressman Forbes supported the Bankruptcy Judgeships Act of 2010, H.R. 4506, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill would create 35 new permanent judgeships to more effectively handle bankruptcy cases, as recommended by the Judicial Conference.  Bankruptcy judges are appointed to 14 year terms and are selected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the relevant circuit.  This bill will pay for the additional costs created by new judges through a modest increase in bankruptcy filing fees.
This legislation was approved by voice vote.

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.

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.