Congressman Randy Forbes | Washington Update
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Weeks of May 24 -  June 11, 2010 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
 
Supporting Israel's Right to Self Defense


Congressman Forbes joined 78 of his colleagues in the House in sending a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing his steadfast support for the steps Israel has taken to ensure the peace and security of its homeland.  Congressman Forbes also submitted remarks to the Congressional Record expressing his support for Israel’s right to protect itself from external threats.
 
Preventing Terrorists from Being Transferred to the U.S.

Congressman Forbes offered an amendment during debate of the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent the transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into the United States. The Amendment was adopted by the House of Representatives. To watch a video of Congressman Forbes remarks during debate, click here.
The amendment was adopted in the House by a vote 282-131.
 
Promoting Public Awareness of Mental Health

Congressman Forbes voted to support a resolution (H.Res.1258) designating a Mental Health Month.  This resolution recognizes the important role mental well-being plays in our society and praises the many national and community organizations that provide support and information to those impacted by mental illness.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 414-1.
Economy

Prevented consumer exploitation. Congressman Forbes voted to support the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Extension Act (H.R.5330), which increased penalties for antitrust violations in an effort to prevent consumer exploitation.  This legislation also includes greater protections for those individuals who make claims of collusion against corporations.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 366-4.

Opposed more deficit spending. Congressman Forbes voted to oppose the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.4213).  This legislation is a collection of programs that will increase the deficit by $54 billion while establishing permanent tax increases.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 245-171. 

Veterans Affairs

Ensured chiropractic care for veterans.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act (H.R.1017), which would ensure the availability of chiropractic care in 75 VA medical centers by the end of 2011 and all such centers by the end of 2013. Currently, these services are only available in 32 of the nation’s VA medical centers.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 365-6.

Honored our Vietnam veterans. Congressman Forbes voted to support a resolution (H.Con.Res.278) saluting the 20th Anniversary of Sons and Daughters in Touch. The anniversary will take place on Father’s Day 2010 (June 20) at the D.C. Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial to provide a way for the sons and daughters of deceased or missing Vietnam War veterans to honor their fathers on Father's Day.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 371-0.

Recognized our Armed Forces and veterans.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored and supported a resolution (H.Res.1385) that recognizes and honors the service and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 414-0.

Enhanced the post-war lives of veterans.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R.3885), which establishes a trial program for dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues that veterans often face post-deployment.  Returning soldiers with PTSD will help train service dogs, an activity which is expected to have a therapeutic effect. The service dogs will then be assigned to disabled veterans.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 403-4.
Defense

Supporting the memory of our fallen men and women. Congressman Forbes coauthored a letter to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee requesting immediate committee action on H.R.1034.  This legislation would designate the Honor and Remember Flag as an official national symbol to recognize and honor members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.  The flag was created by George Lutz of Chesapeake, VA to honor the fallen, which includes his son who was killed in action in Iraq.

Voted against elimination of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in the Armed Services. Congressman Forbes urged fellow Members of Congress to await the results of a Department of Defense study on the reversal implementation of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to ensure that Congress has comprehensive information before making such a significant policy change.  Congressman Forbes voted against the Defense Policy bill due to the inclusion of this provision.
The bill passed the House 229-186.
Government Reform

Encouraged cost transparency of legislation.  Congressman Forbes voted to support a resolution (H.Res.1178), which calls for the nonpartisan cost estimates of bills to be posted to the website of the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 390-22.

Voting against duplicative government spending.  Congressman Forbes voted against the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R.5116) which will cost $48 billion in taxpayer money to fund existing science programs and create several new government programs.  In addition, several key cost-reducing amendments were not included in the final version of the legislation.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 262-150.
Financial Services

Protected debit card rewards programs and member benefits. Congressman Forbes signed a letter urging Members tasked with crafting the final language of the financial regulatory reform bill to omit the so-called Durbin Amendment, which would force the Federal Reserve to set debit card rates and terms, compromising card benefits.
Homeland Security

Supported the families of FBI agents who died in the line of duty.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the FBI Families of Fallen Heroes Act (H.R.2711), which  provides relocation expenses for the families of fallen FBI agents.  This legislation helps minimize the financial burden on FBI families already dealing with the loss of a loved one.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-0.
Energy

Encouraged the production of American energy.  Congressman Forbes supported the Hoover Power Allocation Act (H.R.4349) that extends, for 50 years, the rights of the federal government to distribute the electric power produced by the Hoover Dam.  The domestic production of energy is a matter of economic vitality and national security.
This bill passed the House by a voice vote.

Defended our electric grid from security threats.  Congressman Forbes supported the GRID Act (H.R.5026) which allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue emergency orders in the event of a security threat to electrical infrastructure.  This legislation comes amid growing concerns of cyber-attacks or physical attacks on American electrical production.
This bill passed the House by a voice vote.
Labor

Remembered the eleven oil platform workers who perished in the Gulf of Mexico.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution (H.Res.1347) honoring those individuals who died on the Deepwater Horizon, the oil platform at the heart of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.  The House also recognized the rescue crews and volunteers who saved the other workers on the platform.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 403-0.
Foreign Affairs

Expressed sympathy to the victims of the South Korean ship sinking.  Congressman Forbes voted to support a resolution (H.Res.1382) expressing condolences of the House to the families of those sailors killed by the at-sea actions of North Korea.  The attack, initiated on March 26, resulted in the death of 46 South Korean sailors.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 411-3.
Housing

Insured the continued viability of FHA loans.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the Federal Housing Administration Reform Act of 2010 (H.R.5072), which will ensure that FHA loans continue to serve the American people.  The bill will contribute to greater stability in the mortgage market and represents a cost savings to the federal government.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 406-4.
American Heritage

Preserved the history of the American Jewish experience.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution (H.Res.1381) recognizing the National Museum of American Jewish History as the only museum uniquely devoted to American Jewish history.
This bill passed the House by a voice vote.
Agriculture

Recognized the important role of the dairy industry in economic and nutritional well-being.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution in the House to support the goals of National Dairy Month, which has been celebrated every June since 1939.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 359-0.
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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