Called for a meeting with International Paper. Congressman Forbes signed a letter with Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Jim Webb, and Rep. Bobby Scott requesting a meeting with International Paper senior executives to discuss the details of the International Paper plant closure in Franklin, Virginia and their plans for future uses of the site.   

Called for Congress to properly address the bad economy. Congressman Forbes gave a speech on the House floor about the government's failure to address the causes of the economic recession, rather than the symptoms. Watch Congressman Forbes' remarks here.

Requested prompt federal assistance for employees of International Paper. Congressman Forbes sent letters to the Departments of Labor and Commerce, as well as the Small Business Administration, requesting each agency send a representative to the City of Franklin to ensure any relevant federal resources are made available to the communities impacted by the plant closure. Congressman Forbes also sent a separate letter to Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis requesting that she review potential additional benefits for International Paper employees. 

Supported America’s firefighters. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res.729 to honor and celebrate Federal, State, and local firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty.
This legislation passed by a vote of 390-0.    

Supported access to investment capital for small businesses. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3854 to increase the size of loans available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs and reduce interest rates on loans made to small businesses under current programs. The bill is estimated to generate $44 billion in new lending for small businesses.
This legislation passed by a vote of 389-32.  

Supported relief for homeowners with toxic drywall. Congressman Forbes supported an amendment to H.R. 3854 allowing the Small Business Administration to provide federal, low-interest disaster relief loans to homeowners for the repair or replacement of toxic drywall manufactured in China. The 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. Some officials believe the only way to solve the problem is to remove walls, studs, and wiring.
This amendment was passed by voice vote. 

Stressed the importance of modeling and simulation. Congressman Forbes met with Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, President of National Defense University (NDU), to discuss the importance of modeling and simulation to a myriad of industries, as well as the need to expand interagency training and education at NDU similar to the way it is used for training at U.S. Joint Forces Command in Suffolk, Virginia.  

Emphasized the importance of the Marine Security Forces. Congressman Forbes met with U.S. Marine Corps officials to discuss the consolidation of the Marine Security Forces Regiment in Hampton Roads, Virginia or Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Marine Security Forces Regiment consists of about 1,500 marines. The training company is already located at Naval Support Activity Norfolk, Northwest Annex, in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Discussed the Outlying Landing Field. Congressman Forbes met with Admiral John C. Harvey, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, to discuss the readiness of the naval fleet and the Navy’s proposed Outlying Landing Field. 

Opposed politicization of the Department of Defense funding bill. Congressman Forbes joined 70 members of Congress in writing a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi opposing her efforts to include a DC Voting Rights bill as a part of the annual defense funding bill. The letter stated that each piece of legislation affecting the American people deserves to be discussed individually and receive a separate up or down vote on its own merits, rather than being hidden inside a necessary spending bill.

Recognized the importance of crime prevention. Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res.177 to designate October 1, 2009, through October 3, 2009, as "Celebrate Safe Communities" Week, and October as "Crime Prevention Month."
This resolution was passed by voice vote. 

Called for awareness of domestic violence. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.817, supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which urges Congress to continue to raise awareness and support programs designed to end domestic violence. 

This resolution was passed by voice vote.

Supported emergency communications funding. Congressman Forbes voted for S.1694, which extends funding for an emergency communications grant program established under the Digital Television Transition Act. The program will help states to supply critical communication equipment for first-responders.
This legislation passed by a vote of 420-0.

Recognized the importance of a stable family life. Congressman Forbes supported H.Res.831, which recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family.
This legislation passed by voice vote.

Urged government of Iran to release American hikers. Congressman Forbes supported S.Con.Res. 45 encouraging the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible. The three Americans were detained by Iran when they inadvertently crossed over the unmarked Iranian border when hiking in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
This legislation passed by a vote of 423-0.