Protecting Consumers from Health Insurance Cancellation    Congressman Forbes introduced the Health Care Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3584), a bipartisan bill to protect consumers from losing their insurance coverage because of one missed payment. In many cases, individuals have had their health benefits canceled because they missed a payment, often due to hospitalization or postal office error. This bill gives individuals the opportunity to reinstate their cancelled benefits once they pay back premiums.
	Supporting Americans' Right to Pray   Congressman Forbes joined with 60 Members of Congress in signing a letter of support for a principal and athletic director in the Santa Rosa County School District in Florida. The two men faced criminal contempt charges for asking for a prayer before a meal at an event honoring private donors to the athletic program. Congressman Forbes also gave a speech on the House Floor to discuss the criminalization of prayer in America. The men were found not guilty on Thursday.
	Prohibiting Federal Funds for ACORN Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Defund Acorn Act, H.R. 3571, to prohibit ACORN from receiving federal funds. In recent weeks, ACORN has come under scrutiny for a series of undercover videos that show ACORN employees in four different cities providing advice on how to acquire government assistance for setting up a brothel. Additionally, the FBI has recently issued arrest warrants for 11 Miami ACORN employees accused of falsifying hundreds of voter registration cards. Congressman Forbes also voted for an amendment to prohibit ACORN from receiving federal funds.   This amendment passed the House by a vote of 345 - 75.

 

Supported teaching the Constitution to high school students.  H. Res. 686 seeks to ensure that high school students have an effective understanding of the Constitution before reaching voting age.

This resolution passed the House unanimously.

Protected cities from being coerced into unconstitutional agreements by activist groups. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1300, the Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA).The bill would prohibit activist groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from recovering legal fees when they successfully sue localities for violation of the Establishment Clause. Currently, many cities and towns are being coerced into settling claims, which are oftentimes unconstitutional, out of fear of huge monetary losses. PERA would modify the law so each side pays its attorney fees.

 

Supported bringing awareness to the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Congressman Forbes agreed to serve on the Honorary Congressional Advisory Committee established by the National Education Project, an organization committed to creating a renewed awareness of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in our country.  Constitution Day, the anniversary of the 1787 signing by thirty-nine men in Philadelphia, PA, was celebrated September 17.

Supported the goals and ideals of senior caregiving and affordability.  Congressman Forbes supported H. Con. Res. 59, which encourages affordable and accessible care for seniors and recognizes the efforts of family caregivers nationwide.

This resolution passed the House by a vote of 387 - 0.

 

Raised awareness of infant mortality issues in the United States. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res. 260, expressing the importance of lowering the rate of infant mortality and confronting the racial disparities in prenatal care.

This resolution passed the House by a vote of 415 - 0.

 

 

Met with representatives of the Brain Injury Association of America.  Congressman Forbes discussed best practices and possible solutions for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain injury suffered by servicemembers. Earlier this year, Congressman Forbes participated in an oversight visit to the military’s Brain Trauma Center at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, which is the national medical center for our servicemembers who have suffered this kind of injury.     

 

Recognized and supported the goals and ideals of American Legion Day.  H. Res. 679 calls upon the people of the United States to observe American Legion Day, September 16 with programs and activities. The American Legion, a veterans service organizations, received its Federal charter on September 16, 1919 and has since remained active at the national, state, and local levels. American Legion members, known as Legionnaires, believe that a veteran’s service to the United States continues long after the veteran is discharged from the Armed Forces.

This resolution passed the House unanimously.

 

Supported financial relief for the United States Postal Service (USPS). H.R. 22 would change current law to allow the USPS to pay its share of contributions for annuitants' health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. Since 2008, mail volume has been down 12.6 percent due to the increased use of email and the economic downturn. In an age of increasingly rapid technological advancement, it is vital that USPS enact dramatic reform in order to compete with the private sector and the growing reliance on telecommunications.

This bill passed the House by a vote of 388 - 32.
 

Opposed new federal funding for programs unless they prove beneficial results. Congressman Forbes opposed H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009. This bill seeks to establish long term, sustained funding on a broad range of areas from commercial technologies to exploratory research. The bill would cost up to $2.4 billion and provides grants without any guarantee or accountability of positive results.  

This bill passed the House by a vote of 312 - 114.

  

Called for protecting military family voting rights. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1182, to extend the same voting and residency protections provided to military members to service member spouses.   

 

Opposed funding for Mayport dredging.  Congressman Forbes wrote a letter to the national defense policy bill conferees to oppose funding for dredging the Mayport, FL harbor, one of the first steps required to move a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk, VA to Mayport, FL. The Navy has recently said that its decision to move a carrier has been postponed, pending conclusion of the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). Any effort to dredge in Mayport would be presumptive prior to release of the QDR.   

 

Voted against a government takeover of student loans.  H.R. 3221 would eliminate the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, which are private loans subsidized by the federal government, and shift all student loans to a government-run and taxpayer financed system through the Direct Loan program (DL). Congressman Forbes released the following statement regarding the legislation: “Congress has gotten into a bad habit of instituting government-takeovers as a tool to address national challenges. The student loan bill today was no different – it would have placed our student loan system entirely in the federal government’s hands. While I have made it a priority to increase access to student loans by lowering student loan interest rates, increasing the Pell Grant award per student, and providing grants to students who commit to teaching in high-need subject, I could not support the continued and deliberate government-takeover of private industry.”  

This bill passed the House by a vote of 253 - 171.
 

Voted against reducing funding for community colleges. Congressman Forbes voted against an amendment that would have eliminated $7 billion in funding for community colleges.

The amendment failed to pass the House by a vote of 126 - 301.

Supported access to student loans.  Congressman Forbes voted for continued private lending in student loans and to increase the amount of money available to college students for loans. This amendment would also have established a commission to develop a new model for private lending. 

The amendment failed to pass the House by a vote of 165 - 265.
 

Recognized the contributions that coaches make in the lives of participants of organized sports. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res. 6, recognizing National Coaches Appreciation Week. It is estimated that 42 million American children participate in organized sports each year. 

This bill passed the House unanimously.
 

Supported small businesses affected by TARP. Congressman Forbes voted for the SIG TARP Small Business Awareness Act of 2009, H.R. 3179, which requires the inspector general of the TARP bailout program to examine how smaller financial institutions are being affected by the program. An assessment of specific actions taken under the program by the Treasury Department and regulators will also be examined.  The inspector general will report on the effects financial assistance provided under the program has had on small businesses, including both positive and negative effects and the effects by regions.  

This bill passed the House by voice vote.  
 

 

Supported local broadcast programming for satellite television subscribers.  Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3570 in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill extends the compulsory copyright license that permits satellite carriers (DirecTV and Dish Network) to deliver local broadcast signals to subscribers. This will ensure that satellite television viewers are able to keep abreast of local news and events.

This bill was unanimously passed in the Committee.