Congressman Randy Forbes | Washington Update
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Weeks of March 22- March 26, 2010 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
 
Improving Patient Safety and Reducing Medical Errors

Congressman Forbes attended the 7th Annual Advanced Initiatives in Medical Simulation (AIMS) Capitol Hill Exhibition to discuss his bill, the Enhancing SIMULATION Act of 2009 (H.R.855), and watch demonstrations of new breakthroughs in medical simulation technology.  H.R. 855 would expand the use of simulation technologies into medical, nursing, allied health, podiatric, and dental education and training protocols. Simulation trials have shown that modeling and simulation could reduce medical error costs by up to $17 billion across the country.
 
Supporting Energy Independence
Congressman Forbes supported legislation (H.R.4942) to require the Department of Interior to begin lease sales for energy exploration in Virginia waters after the Virginia General Assembly and Governor certify their support for them.  These drilling platforms would be environmentally sound and would not be visible from the shore. In addition, Congressman Forbes is working with other Members of the delegation to see that proceeds from offshore drilling benefit Virginians. In order to help end America’s reliance on foreign oil, Congressman Forbes has long advocated for an “all of the above” approach for comprehensive energy reform.
 
Ensuring Access to Small Business Loans
Congressman Forbes voted to extend the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (H.R.4938), which is designed to help small entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses. 
This bill passed the House by a voice vote.
Small Business
Opposed Higher Taxes on Businesses.  Congressman Forbes voted to oppose the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act (H.R.4849), which raises taxes on international companies with U.S. employees.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 246-178.

Supported Meaningful Tax Incentives for Small Business.  Congressman Forbes voted for an amendment to the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act that would have provided assistance to small businesses without raising taxes on international employers with U.S. employees.  For example, small business capital gains taxes would be suspended and businesses would be able to deduct more start-up expenses than currently allowed.
This amendment failed in the House by a vote of 184-239.
Veterans
Ensured Reemployment Rights for National Guard Members. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of the National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009 (H.R.1879). Current law does not provide the same protections for those serving missions domestically as it does for National Guard members serving overseas. The bill closes a loophole in existing employment protection law that has adversely impacted members called up to serve homeland security missions in the United States.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-1.

Helped to Prevent the Loss of Veterans’ Homes. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2009 (H.R.3976), which extends certain foreclosure protections to service members’ homes. Many veterans are returning from service and experiencing difficulty gaining employment due to the current economic climate. H.R. 3976 would reauthorize home-foreclosure protections to prevent lenders from foreclosing on a veteran’s home within nine months after the end of military service.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-4.

Assisted Homeless Veterans. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R.4810).  This bill would extend several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for homeless veterans and established a landlord outreach program.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 413-0.

Honored Blind Veterans. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of recognizing and honoring the Blinded Veterans Association on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded veterans and their families (H.J.Res.80).
This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-0.

Ensured Quality Care for Our Nations’ Veterans. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010 (H.R.4667).  The bill would increase the amounts paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors by adjusting the amount equal to the adjustment made to social security payments.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 407-0.

Increased Job Opportunities for Veterans. Congressman Forbes voted to increase job opportunities for veterans by reimbursing energy employers for the cost of providing on-the-job training for veterans in the energy sector (H.R.4592). Specifically, the bill creates the pilot “Veterans Energy Related Employment Program.” The program would award competitive grants to three states that demonstrate they serve a population of eligible veterans, possess a diverse energy industry, and have the ability to implement the program.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 397-19.
Economy

Voted Against Legislation That Would Praise the Stimulus for Job Creation. Congressman Forbes voted against legislation (H. Res.1125) to praise the “transparency and accountability” and “direct job creation” of the stimulus bill.  There is no available evidence to support job creation from the stimulus, and of the $862 billion in stimulus funds only $301 billion (or 34%) has been spent thus far.  In addition, the official government website that tracks current stimulus spending included phantom congressional districts, like the 00th Congressional District of Virginia. Congressman Forbes is one of only 17 Members of Congress to vote against every big stimulus and bailout bill.
This bill failed the House by a vote of 249-172.
Healthcare

Voted Against a Flawed Approach to Healthcare Reform in America.  Congressman Forbes joined 206 Republicans and Democrats in the House in voting against a budget reconciliation process (H.R.4872) of the healthcare bill that failed to achieve its objective of cutting federal spending.  Click here to read Congressman Forbes’ statement on the bill’s overall passage.  Read Congressman Forbes’ healthcare solutions here.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 220-207.
Transportation

Voted Against Increasing Passenger Airport Fees. Congressman Forbes voted against the Aviation and Safety Investment Act (H.R.1586), which would increase the maximum fee airports could charge each passenger by $2.50 per ticket on top of the $4.50 fee that is currently allowed.  The bill would also increase taxes on non-commercial aviation fuel.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 276-145.
Oversight and Government Reform
Supported Securing Federal Internet Networks. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of the Secure Federal File Sharing Act (H.R.4098), which secures the use of peer-to-peer internet file sharing by government employees on government computers and restricts their use unless necessary for official business.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 408-13.
Defense
Discussed Chinese Military Buildup with a Top Navy Official. Congressman Forbes met with the top Navy military commander for the entire Pacific region, Admiral Robert Willard, to discuss issues of national defense. Specifically, they discussed the rapid and non-transparent build-up of the Chinese military. Congressman Forbes is founder of the Congressional China Caucus.

Questioned Senior Military Leaders on Uses of Modeling and Simulation. At a House Armed Service Committee hearing, Congressman Forbes asked Admiral Robert Willard how the Navy uses modeling and simulation to address the challenges that threaten to undermine stability in the Pacific, such as terrorism, military expansion from non-allied nations such as China, and the readiness of our own fleet.
Homeland Security
Voted Against More Deficit Spending.  Congressman Forbes voted to oppose the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 (H.R.4899), which would increase the deficit by more than $5 billion to fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and provide incentives for youth summer jobs.  Nearly $1.4 billion already exists for youth employment in unspent stimulus funds and regular spending bills.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 239-175.  

Supported Responsible Federal Emergency Funding.  Congressman Forbes voted to support an amendment that would fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by using unspent funds from a variety of programs and therefore not adding to the federal deficit.
This amendment failed in the House by a vote of 176-239.
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.

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