Washington Update

Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District


Weeks of January 12 - 30, 2009


Budget & Economy

ü Cosponsored and supported passage of H. J. Res. 3, a resolution to prevent Congress from releasing the second installment of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds. The second installment totals $350 billion. Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, EESA, unless both houses of Congress pass a resolution of disapproval within 15 days of the President asking for the money, the $350 billion will be automatically approved for use by the Treasury Department. Therefore, the Senate would have to also pass H. J. Res. 3, and President Obama would have to sign the resolution in order for it to take effect. To read Congressman Forbes’ statement on the remaining bailout funds, click here.

ü Voted to oppose H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This $819 billion “stimulus plan” passed in the House by a vote of 244-188.  H.R. 1 includes some tax rebates, education spending, new military construction, spending for transportation and water infrastructure, and expanded Medicaid payments. Of the 152 spending provisions in the legislation, only 34 of the provisions are expected to actually create jobs. At a total cost of $819 billion, the package will cost taxpayers more than $225,000 per job for each one of the 3.6 million jobs it is expected to create.  The amount the federal government will pay in interest alone each year for the 2008 bailouts is equal to the entire combined budgets of NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the expenses of running the White House for one year. If the $819 billion bill were to become law, which is the most expensive bailout yet, the annual interest on that new debt alone would equal the entire 2009 budget for the Departments of Labor, Treasury, the Army Corps of Engineers, and running all of Congress. Congressman Forbes is one of only 16 of 435 Representatives to vote against all of the government bailouts thus far. To read his statement on the economic stimulus vote, click here.         

ü Offered an amendment to H.R. 1, which would have ensured that funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 were only used to improve the economic situations of American citizens, not illegal immigrants. The House Rules Committee did not approve the amendment for consideration on the House floor. 

ü Cosponsored H. J. Res. 1, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This resolution would reign in out-of-control spending by mandating that Congress not continue to increase our federal debt except under extraordinary circumstances and with three-fifths approval by each house of Congress.

ü  Cosponsored H.R. 470, the Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act of 2009. This bill is designed to boost our economy by supporting families through tax relief, providing economic relief for American businesses and entrepreneurs, and saving future generations from a crushing debt burden. The proposal cuts income tax rate by 5%,  increases the child tax credit from $1,000 to $5,000, repeals the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on individuals, and reduces the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%. The bill does so without creating billions of dollars in new federal spending.

ü Voted to support H. Res. 40, to require each House committee to hold hearings on waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in government at least once every 120 days. 

ü Voted to oppose H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act, which modifies the requirements associated with the release of the final $350 billion installment of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds. H.R. 384 explicitly provides new assistance to domestic automakers, diverts between $40 billion and $100 billion to prevent owner-occupied residences from foreclosure actions, and requires TARP recipients to reach agreements with federal regulators on how to use the funds. Congressman Forbes is among those opposed to the TARP from the outset because of the program’s cost to taxpayers and the precedent it sets for government picking winners and losers in what is supposed to be a free market economy. In relation to this bill, Congressman Forbes:

§  Voted to support H. Amdt. 4, an amendment to remove the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to delegate a government observer to attend meetings of the board of directors of any institution receiving TARP funds.

§  Voted to support H. Amdt. 7, an amendment requiring the Federal Reserve to disclose detailed information regarding the Federal Reserves Mortgage-Backed Securities purchase program.

§  Supported H. Amdt. 8, an amendment prohibiting TARP fund recipients from outsourcing new customer service or call center jobs to foreign companies.

§  Voted to support, H. Amdt. 11, an amendment requiring the Treasury to immediately obtain information from TARP fund recipients on their precise use of funds dispensed prior to January 1, 2009, and require the Treasury to conduct an analysis of the use of those funds. 

ü Participated in meetings of the Select Earmark Reform Committee, which will present a report and recommendations on how to reform the earmark process in Congress.  Congressman Forbes began listing his annual appropriations requests on behalf of the localities in the 4th District of Virginia two years before the House mandated that all Members do the same thing. He was asked to represent the House Armed Services Committee minority on the panel. 

 

Defense

ü Appointed as the Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Readinesss SubcommitteeCongressman Forbes served as Ranking Member during 2008 as well. The subcommittee oversees 30% of the Department of Defense’s budget authority, the Base Realignment and Closure process, and military readiness, specifically training, logistics and maintenance, such as ship repair. The subcommittee also approves most military construction projects and oversees shipyard issues and civilian personnel policy within DOD.  

ü Appointed to the House Armed Services Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee. This subcommittee focuses on Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs, including the Navy’s goal for a 313-ship Navy, the Virginia Class Submarine program, and F/A-18 fighter aircraft. 

ü Questioned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on the Navy’s decision to relocate a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk, VA to Mayport, FL during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on priorities within the Department of Defense.  Congressman Forbes asked Secretary Gates if he was aware of how small the claimed strategic risk is that was identified by the Navy for this decision. Secretary Gates defended the Navy’s analysis, but said that the new Administration and the new Secretary of the Navy would review the decision.

ü Questioned members of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. The bipartisan panel reported last year that without more effective international action, it was likely a terrorist would use a weapon of mass destruction somewhere in the world in the next five years. The panel consisted of former Senators Bob Graham and Jim Talent, and Harvard University political scientist Graham Allison. In response to questioning from Congressman Forbes, the panelists indicated that the five year marker was not based on specific intelligence, but rather a reflection of the time-sensitivity of the threat.

 

Judiciary

üAppointed to the House Judiciary Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee and the House Judiciary Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL) Subcommittee. In his roles on the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Forbes will continue to protect American communities and families by tackling traditional and non-traditional crime, refusing accommodations to those who break our laws, and addressing significant issues that are impacting our economy like bankruptcy, taxation, and trade. The Crime Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Federal Criminal Code, drug enforcement, sentencing, parole and pardons, internal and homeland security, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, prisons, and criminal law enforcement issues. The CAL Subcommittee has jurisdiction over bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state taxation affecting interstate commerce, and interstate compact issues.

ü Agreed to serve on a bipartisan Judiciary Committee task force to investigate Judge Porteous, who is accused of soliciting and accepting bribes from lawyers with actions pending before him. A judicial impeachment is a rare event and has occurred only 13 times in 219 years. The task force is in response to the passage of H.Res. 15 by the full House of Representatives, to inquire whether the House should impeach Judge G. Thomas Porteous of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Congressman Forbes supported the resolution.

ü Voted to oppose H.R. 200, the Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009, in a House Judiciary Committee markup. This bill would allow bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of mortgages under Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings. For example, judges could force reductions in mortgage principal (commonly called “cram-down”), prohibit or delay interest rate adjustments, reduce interest rates, and extend maturity dates up to 40 years from the date of the mortgage origination. Additionally, this legislation would remove the current mandatory credit counseling requirement, which is often the last chance for borrowers and lenders to come to an agreement before bankruptcy proceedings begin. H.R. 200 would even provide relief to those borrowers that committed fraud in their mortgage applications. Permitting modification of mortgages on primary residences under Chapter 13 would have serious negative implications for future residential real estate financing. If the bill is enacted into law, lenders are likely to tighten their lending requirements and increase the costs associated with borrowing funds.

ü Offered an amendment to H.R. 200 to help ensure that mortgage borrowers filing for bankruptcy would not be in the same financial position in the future and to ensure that federal assistance was not going to borrowers who lied on their mortgage applications. The amendment would have restored the credit counseling requirement for borrowers seeking bankruptcy protection and prevented borrowers who committed fraud in their mortgage application from benefiting from the legislation. The amendment was rejected 20-12 in the markup session. 

 

Energy

üReintroduced H.R. 513, the New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence. This bill challenges the United States to achieve 50 percent energy independence in ten years and 100 percent energy independence in 20 years. To achieve this goal, the New Manhattan Project will bring together the best and brightest scientists in our nation in a competitive format to effectively research one of seven established energy goals and will award significant prizes to any group, school, team, or company who accomplishes the goal. The project will challenge scientists and researchers to:

C  Double CAFE standards to 70 MPG while keeping vehicles affordable

C  Cut home and business energy usage in half

C  Make solar power work at the same cost as coal

C  Make the production of biofuels cost-competitive with gasoline

C  Safely and cheaply store carbon emissions from coal-powered plants

C  Safely store or neutralize nuclear waste

C  Produce usable electricity from a nuclear fusion reaction

 

American Values

üSigned on as a cosponsor of H.R. 708, legislation that would reinstate the “Mexico City Policy” restricting assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions. The Mexico City Policy establishes a wall of separation between abortion and family planning by ensuring that U.S. international family planning funds are not directed to foreign non-governmental organizations that actively promote or perform abortion as a method of family planning. 

üSigned a letter on January 16, 2009 to President Obama urging him to continue the Mexico City Policy, which separates abortion and family planning in America’s foreign aid programs. This policy, in place by Executive Order, is necessary to ensure that international family planning funds are not directed to foreign nongovernmental organizations that promote or perform abortion as a method of family planning. President Obama overturned the Mexico City policy on January 23, 2009.

üSigned a letter to President Obama urging him to withdraw his pledge to sign the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would overturn virtually all pro-life laws nationwide, and to refuse to support legislation that incrementally enacts the FOCA agenda by rescinding or weakening existing pro-life laws piece by piece. During the campaign, President Obama talked about reducing abortions, but FOCA would do the opposite. By overturning laws that require parental notification or consent before a minor girl obtains an abortion, the abortion rate would increase. Also, advocates on both sides of the abortion debate agree that longstanding provisions that restrict funding for abortions reduce the number of abortions dramatically.

üSigned on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 636, the Positive Alternatives Act, which would ensure that states have the flexibility to use their TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant dollars to offer alternative-to-abortion services to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. This includes information or counseling that promotes childbirth instead of abortion and assists pregnant women in making informed decisions about parenting or adoption. 

 üSigned on as an original cosponsor of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.  This bill would prohibit transporting a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion and avoid the home state’s abortion laws. This bill was introduced in the House on January 22, 2009, in connection with the 36th Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

 

Civil Rights

üIntroduced H.Con. Res. 34, to place the Lincoln Bible used by President Barack Obama at the 56th Quadrennial Inauguration on permanent display at the Capitol Visitor Center. The Lincoln Bible that President Obama used for his oath of office represents both a 144 year epoch in civil rights, from the freeing of slaves to desegregation to the inauguration of our first African American president, and the religious heritage that has played a vital role in the more than 200-year history of our nation.  Currently, the table President Lincoln used to hold the Bible at his second inauguration is on display in the Capitol Visitor Center without the Bible. It is only appropriate that the Lincoln-Obama Bible be placed on display in the Capitol Visitor Center so visitors may realize the rich Godly heritage and significant advances in civil rights it represents.

üSupported H. Res. 73, observing the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraging the people of the United States to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Education & Workforce

üVoted in favor of H.Res. 41 supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month 2009. Today, more than 4,200 mentoring programs in communities of all sizes across the U.S. provide 3,000,000 young Americans with solid mentoring relationships. However, in spite of the progress made to increase mentoring, our nation has a serious “mentoring gap” with nearly 15,000,000 young people currently in need of mentors. The designation of January 2009 as National Mentoring Month will help call attention to the critical role mentors play in helping young people realize their potential.

üVoted in favor of H.Res. 50 honoring the life of Claiborne Pell, distinguished former Senator from the State of Rhode Island. During his time in the U.S. Senate, Mr. Pell was a supporter of education, human rights, workers, international law and diplomacy, and the arts. He was instrumental in creating Basic Education Opportunity Grants, which came to be known as Federal Pell Grants. Pell Grants have helped over 54,000,000 low- and middle-income students attend college and achieve their educational goals.

üVoted in favor of H.Res. 43 recognizing the efforts of those who serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day and promoting the holiday as a day of national service. Millions of Americans have been inspired by the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to serve their neighbors and communities. Volunteers have been a steadfast foundation of our nation’s infrastructure, supporting not only individuals and families in need, but acting in response to national catastrophes and natural disasters. Serving one’s community for the betterment of every individual speaks to the high character and everyday practice of Dr. King.

üSupported H.Res. 39 expressing support for the goals of Catholic Schools Week (January 25-31, 2009) and recognizing the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools. This resolution congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation. 

üVoted in favor of H.Res. 56 honoring the contributions of school counselors to the success of students in our elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, this resolution encourages the observation of National School Counseling Week (February 2-6, 2009) with ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society. 

üOpposed S. 181, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, legislation effectively eliminates the statute of limitations for employment-related discrimination claims. This bill, which was signed into law by President Obama on January 29, 2009, allows employees to file charges of alleged discrimination within 180 days of the last paycheck received that is affected by alleged employment discrimination. By permitting such claims to be brought within 180 days — not of a discriminatory pay decision, but of a paycheck affected by that decision — the measure eliminates the statute of limitations on such cases. There is no evidence to suggest that the current statute of limitations has resulted in any demonstrable prejudice against claims by employees of pay discriminations. 

 

International Relations

üSupported H. Res. 34, which supports Israel’s right to defend itself from rocket attacks and urges all sides to work together towards an Israeli- Palestinian Peace Process.

 

Environment & Interior

üSent a letter to the Acting Director of the National Park Service (NPS) requesting the agency’s assistance in expanding Petersburg National Battlefield Park. Congressman Forbes would like to work with NPS to draft legislation to expand the boundaries of the park by 7,200 acres.

 

Transportation & Infrastructure

üVoted in favor of H. Res. 84 honoring the heroic actions of the pilot, crew, and rescuers of US Airways Flight 1549.  Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, on January 15, 2009, bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, and lost engine power shortly after takeoff. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles displayed quick thinking and skillful control of the aircraft, setting the plane down in a controlled water landing in the Hudson River while flight attendants Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh, and Donna Dent prepared passengers for the emergency landing. Due to the heroic efforts of the flight crew, all 155 passengers and crew survived without serious injury.

 

Health Care

üOpposed H.R. 2, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (SCHIP). Congressman Forbes supported the original SCHIP program, which was created to see that uninsured children from low-income families have access to quality healthcare to help keep them healthy. H.R. 2, however, would shift the priority away from uninsured low-income children by making high-income children and adults eligible for the program, and would fail to set important citizenship verification standards. This bill would also pull resources away from children in most need of healthcare by shifting 2.4 million children receiving private coverage to government-run healthcare.  On January 12, 2009, Congressman Forbes signed a letter to President-Elect Obama and Speaker Pelosi outlining concerns with SCHIP and identifying improvements to the program. 

 

Telecommunications

üVoted to oppose S. 328, to delay the Digital Television Transition (DTV) until June 13, 2009. The delay in the transition (from the original date of February 17th) would require an additional $650 million in taxpayer money. All of the original money slated for the transition has not yet been spent, while 94.3% of households are already prepared for the DTV transition. Because the telecommunications industry has spent over $1 billion preparing for the switch to digital television, delay will make it less likely, not more, that consumers are prepared. 

 

For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.

 

 
 

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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.

 

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