Congressman Randy Forbes | Washington Update
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Week of April 19 - 23, 2010 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
 
Defending the National Day of Prayer


On April 21st, Congressman Forbes joined 30 Members of Congress and faith leaders representing millions of Americans in a bipartisan press conference to respond to a recent federal judge's decision that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and to call on the White House to appeal the decision. The day after the press conference, the Department of Justice announced it would appeal the judge’s ruling.  Congressman Forbes also cosponsored of two resolutions affirming the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer, H.Res.1273 and H.Res.1279.  Watch footage of the press conference here.
 
Investigating U.S. Cyberwarfare Preparedness

Congressman Forbes hosted a briefing with Dr. Larry Wortzel, former chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, to investigate the reach of Chinese offensive cyber capabilities.  Last week, Congressman Forbes sent a letter to Chairman Ike Skelton of the House Armed Services Committee to request a hearing to investigate the impact of cyber attacks originated from foreign nations, such as China, on the United States military.
 
Supporting Education for Military Dependents

Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2009 (H.R.3577). This bill allows any former member of the Armed Forces with 20 years of active-duty service between September 30th, 2001 and July 31st 2009 to transfer to their dependents any remaining entitlement to education assistance under the Post 9/11 Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program.
Defense
Improved defense contracting process and reduced Pentagon wasteful spending.  Congressman Forbes voted in favor of the Implementing Management for Performance and related Reforms to Obtain Value in Every Acquisition (IMPROVE) Act of 2010 (H.R.5013) in a House Armed Services Committee markup.  This bill would require the Pentagon to begin to comprehensively manage the defense acquisition system and acquisition workforce to save taxpayer dollars and ensure that the right materials get to war fighters sooner.
The Committee unanimously approved the legislation.
Veterans

Improving home and automobile access for disabled veterans. Congressman Forbes cosponsored legislation (H.R.1169) that increases assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles with modified equipment. 

Made 100% service-connected disabled veterans automatically eligible for Social Security disability. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Benefits Rating Acceleration for Veterans Entitlements (BRAVE) Act (H.R.4054), which is aimed at breaking through bureaucratic red tape that veterans and their families face by allowing veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities to be found automatically eligible for social security disability benefits.

Supported wounded veterans. Congressman Forbes supported a resolution designating May 1 as "Silver Star Service Banner Day” to recognize service men and women injured, ill or dying from service in a war zone. (H.Res.855).
This resolution passed the House by voice vote.
Environment

Recognized the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Congressman Forbes supported a resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and honoring the founder of Earth Day, the late Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. (H.Con.Res.255).
This resolution passed the House by voice vote.
Education

Supported more flexibility for investing in college education.  Congressman Forbes supported the Deposit Restricted Qualified Tuition Programs Act (H.R.4178), which creates a new option for education savings plans that would be designated as bank products — not securities — which would require the FDIC to insure savings placed in the new plans.  Under current law, families can invest money in so-called Section 529 plans, named for the relevant section of tax law, which allow tax-free contributions as savings for higher education.  Because 529 plans are considered securities, they are not insured by the FDIC.
This bill passed the House by voice vote.
Foreign Affairs

Supported tough sanctions on Iran.  Congressman Forbes voted to support an amendment to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (H.R.2194).  The amendment imposes sanctions on Iran and will be a key tool in persuading the Iranian government to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
This resolution passed the House by a vote of 403-11.
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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