Congressman Randy Forbes
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Weeks of November 31 - December 4, 2009 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
Seeking Answers on Strategy in Afghanistan

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Congressman Forbes questioned Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen on the President's recent announcement on the way forward in the War in Afghanistan. Congressman Forbes raised concerns about the Administration’s track record on long-term strategic defense planning, especially as it relates to our shipbuilding and aviation plans, where we have seen that strategic planning isn’t happening. Watch Congressman Forbes ask his series of questions here.


Opposing the Death Tax

Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 4154, which would make the death tax permanent. Currently, the tax is scheduled to be repealed at the end of this year. H.R. 4154 gives the federal government permanent authority to take 45% of everything a person leaves for his or her children, and it discourages American principles of hard work and long-term investment. Congressman Forbes said "Death is not a taxable event. Instead of making the death tax permanent, we need to put it to rest for good." He cosponsored H.R. 1960, which would permanently repeal the death tax. Read Congressman Forbes' blog posting on the issue here.
H.R. 4154 passed by a vote of 225-200.


Increasing Accountability and Transparency of Bailout Funds

Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 1242, which would amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to provide for additional monitoring and accountability of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bailout funds. Currently, TARP recipient reports are spread among 25 different government agencies using incompatible formats and systems. H.R. 1242 would require the Department of the Treasury to put all TARP recipient reports in a standardized database language so that TARP funds can be accessible, traceable, and fully transparent.
The bill passed by a vote of 421-0.

Healthcare

Called for ethical stem cell research. In response to the National Institute of Health’s decision to fund research on new human embryonic stem cell lines, Congressman Forbes called on Congress to consider his Patients First Act, H.R. 877. His bipartisan bill would intensify research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are obtained without destroying human life and that provide near-term clinical benefit for human patients. Read Congressman Forbes’ statement on the issue here.

Addressed need for care for children with brain injuries. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.Con.Res.198, which expresses support for the National Pediatic Aquired Brain Injury (PABI) Plan as a seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care for children and young adults with brain injuries. PABI is the number one cause of death and disability for children and young adults up to age 25 in the United States.

Encouraged greater awareness of ovarian cancer. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.727, to increase public awareness of the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
This legislation passed by a vote of 385-0.

Education

Supported improving math and science education for national security. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 3331, which would establish a grant program for secondary schools and nonprofit organizations that specialize in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to conduct research and develop education programs in support of national security. United States national security agencies are increasingly relying on technology, math and science skills. However, recent math test scores put only 39 percent of fourth-graders and only 34 percent of eighth-graders at the proficient level.

Housing

 

Called for aid to homeowners with contaminated Chinese drywall. Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res.197, which encourages banks and mortgage brokers to work with the families who have been affected by contaminated drywall in their homes to allow temporary forbearance without penalty on payments on their home mortgages. Chinese drywall was used in many homes across the United States and has been proven to cause corrosion of pipes and wiring, and possible health risks. Congressman Forbes made a statement on this issue in the Congressional Record.
This bill passed by a vote of 419-1.

Supported requiring the installation of weather radios in new mobile homes. Congressman Forbes supported the CJ’s Home Protection Act of 2009, H.R. 320, to require that weather radios be installed in all manufactured mobile homes in the U.S. The radios will assist in providing notice during emergency weather situations.
H.R. 320 passed the House by voice vote.

Transportation

Supported highway and motorcycle safety. Congressman Forbes joined the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus, which is committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that educating motorcycle riders on simple safety precautions such as wearing a helmet can help reduce motorcycle crash fatalities by 37 percent.

Veterans

Promoted educating students on the history of our nation’s veterans. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.897, recognizing the importance of teaching school children about the service and sacrifices of veterans throughout the history of our nation.
This legislation passed by a vote of 419-0.

Homeland Security

Supported more effective emergency preparedness. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act. The bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline the process by which they issue and monitor emergency preparedness grants.
This bill passed by a vote of 414-0.

Opposed the importation of radioactive material into the United States. Congressman Forbes supported the Radioactive Import Deterrence Act, H.R. 515, which would prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from authorizing certain radioactive waste to be imported into the U.S.
This bill passed by a vote of 309-112.

Supported additional training for federal air marshals. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3963, to require federal air marshals to complete criminal investigative training in an effort to enhance marshals’ capabilities in keeping the skies safe.
This bill passed the House by voice vote.

Crime

Called for stricter penalties for gang-related violence. Congressman Forbes offered an amendment to H.R. 1064 in a House Judiciary Committee markup, calling for enforcement provisions in new gang legislation. Congressman Forbes has said that any approach to combating gang-related violence must combine two prongs of enforcement and prevention.
The amendment was not accepted by a vote of 16-14.

Opposed duplicative gang prevention programs. Congressman Forbes voted to oppose H.R. 1064, the Youth PROMISE Act in a House Judiciary Committee markup. The bill only focuses on prevention of gang-related violence and ignores the need for enforcement. Furthermore, many of the programs in the bill are nearly identical to those already being carried out by the Department of Justice. If fully implemented, this legislation would cost taxpayers $1.2 billion over the next five years.
This bill passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 17-14.

Defense

Honored World War II heroes. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.494, recognizing the service of the soldiers of the 30th Infantry Division (Old Hickory) of the United States Army during World War II.
This legislation passed by a vote of 415-0.

Recognized the sacrifices of military families. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.861, supporting the goals and ideals of National Military Family Month and recognizing the sacrifice and dedication demonstrated by military families across the nation.
This legislation passed by a vote of 417-0.

Modeling & Simulation

Chaired the Congressional panel at the largest modeling and simulation conference in the world. Congressman Forbes attended I/ITSEC 2009 and encouraged the modeling and simulation industry to pursue excellence and continue to show the world that the United States remains a global leader in technology. Congressman Forbes is founder and chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus.

 

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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