Ensuring seniors' access to physicians. Congressman Forbes voted for a Medicare and TRICARE physician payment fix to avert a 21% cut to physicians who serve seniors and military families. The bill would be fully paid for through medical liability reform, funds from the Medicare Improvement Fund, and other offsets.
This bill failed by a vote of 177-252.

Opposed more federal deficit spending. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 3961, which would reform a flawed Medicare physician reimbursement system while saddling our children and grandchildren with $210 billion in new debt.  The measure would also raise Medicare premiums for seniors.
This bill passed by a vote of 243-183.

Requested information about the Administration’s plans for the war in Afghanistan. Congressman Forbes sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Gates asking him to address the concerns on the minds of many across the country about how Afghanistan relates to our overall national security and what troop increases would mean for our military personnel who have repeatedly deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The letter also asks Secretary Gates to provide a public opportunity for Congress to ask officials questions about the Administration’s Afghanistan policy.   

Held a meeting about the proposed lodging facility at Fort Lee.  Following the meeting with the Army and hotel owners, Congressman Forbes provided feedback to the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee.  Congressman Forbes outlined the discussions to date and encouraged the Subcommittee to consider the hotel owners concerns as the Subcommittee weigh the merits of the project.   

Expressed gratitude to fallen service members. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Res. 891, which expresses the gratitude of the House of Representative for service to our country of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps soldiers and sailors lost off the coast of California on October 29, 2009.  

This resolution passed by a vote of 419-0. 
   

Called for passage of a permanent federal highway bill. Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to encourage swift passage of a permanent federal highway bill to support critical projects that can lead to economic development in the Fourth District and around the country.   

Encouraged safe driving during the holiday season. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res. 841 to designate November 29, 2009 as “Drive Safer Sunday." The Sunday after Thanksgiving is normally the busiest travel day of the year.

This bill passed by a vote of 413-1.

Supported safety and security requirements for cruise ships. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3360, which would enact new requirements for cruise vessels to provide safety and security to Americans who go on cruise vacations without realizing they are not protected under U.S. laws when they leave its territorial waters. The bill would require the cruise industry to comply with a number of security provisions, including specific rail heights and warning devices, video surveillance to monitor crime, proper maintenance of equipment, medical personnel on board, among others.

This bill passed by a vote of 416-4. 
   

Petitioned for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fly ash documents. Congressman Forbes wrote a letter to the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment asking for his support to secure information from the EPA about fly ash contamination at the Battlefield Golf Course in Chesapeake, Virginia. 

Called for field hearings on fly ash. Congressman Forbes wrote a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment to propose a hearing for the purposes of evaluating the dangers associated with improper disposal of coal combustion wastes. 

Called for Congressional hearings on potential health and safety hazards of Chinese drywall. Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee requesting the Committee convene a hearing to investigate Chinese drywall. Imported between 2004 and 2007, Chinese manufactured drywall has been associated with corroded electrical wiring, a strong rotten egg smell, and health problems such as headaches and nausea. 

Applauded committee passage of legislation to expand Petersburg National Battlefield. The House Committee on Natural Resources passed the Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Modification Act, H.R. 3388, which was introduced by Congressman Forbes. Earlier this month, Congressman Forbes testified before the Committee in support of this legislation, which would expand the boundaries of Petersburg National Battlefield by 7,238 acres. The next step for the bill is a vote on the House floor in the full House of Representatives. 

Requested information on the transfer of terrorist detainees. Congressman Forbes cosponsored a Resolution of Inquiry,  H. Res. 920 requiring Attorney General Eric Holder to provide Congress with copies of all documents related to the decision to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to New York City for trial. 

Supported Firefighters and Emergency Responders.  Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3791, which reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program through 2014. Both programs provide grants to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the public and fire service personnel from fire and related hazards.
This bill passed by a vote of 395-31. 

Supported changes to the Reserve Officers Association. Congressman Forbes supported S. 1599, which includes new leadership positions in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association (ROA). The ROA is a congressionally chartered Association that advises Congress on matters relating to the Reserve Component of the United States armed forces. A congressional charter is a law passed by Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group.
This bill passed by a vote of 425-0.

Supported the constitutional right to bear arms. Congressman Forbes joined over 200 Members of Congress in signing an amicus curiae brief in support of second amendment rights for the case of McDonald v. The City of Chicago. This case, currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, deals with the important constitutional issue of whether the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.  

Defended the national motto and Pledge in Capitol Visitor Center. Congressman Forbes, along with 43 other Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, signed an amicus curiae brief in the case of Freedom From Religion Foundation, et al. v. Ayers. This case involves an attempt to remove the national motto, “In God We Trust,” and the Pledge of Allegiance from the Capitol Visitor Center.