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Washington Update Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District Week of April 27 - May 1, 2009 |
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ü Opposed the 2010 Federal Budget resolution. Congressman Forbes voted against S. Con. Res. 13, the Conference Report for the Federal Budget. This $3.5 trillion budget proposal increases federal spending at a level that will result in the largest deficit in the nation's history. In addition, the legislation allows health care and energy tax legislation to bypass the conventional legislative process without adequate debate. ü Supported a commission to eliminate government waste. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R.1802, which would establish a bipartisan commission to evaluate federal agencies and programs to eliminate wasteful spending on duplicative, inefficient or outdated programs. The commission would make recommendations to Congress and the President for changes to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.
ü Introduced interagency reform legislation to examine long-term global challenges facing the U.S. Congressman Forbes introduced H.R. 2207, the Interagency Cooperation Commission (ICC) Act, which would bring together officials from the Administration, Congress, and outside experts to recommend legislative and regulatory changes to improve the coordination of federal activities for major undertakings such as post-Katrina recovery, the government pandemic flu response, and coordinating government policy toward China and other countries.
ü Increased protections for credit card holders. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 627, which would increase credit card companies’ disclosures on fees and terms to consumers, prohibit extending credit to minors that do not have income, and limit unfair fees on card holders. The bill also prohibits a creditor from changing the interest rate on existing balances unless there is a 45 day written notice.
ü Supported raising awareness of financial education. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Res. 357, which supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month. This resolution raises public awareness about financial education, recognizes the importance of managing personal finances, increasing personal savings, and reducing personal debt in the United States.
ü Provided funding for job-training and financial counseling for low-income families. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 46, which would expand the availability of family self-sufficiency (FSS) programs by ensuring that local public housing authorities have the coordinator funding necessary to administer FSS programs and better serve their populations. FSS programs provide homeownership counseling, job training, child care, education and other services to help low-income families reduce their dependence on public assistance.
ü Called for equal protections for all victims of crimes. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 1913, which would expand current hate crimes laws to prohibit crimes involving actual or perceived race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. 45 states and the District of Columbia already have their own laws punishing hate crimes. Congressman Forbes believes that all victims of violent crime should have equal worth in the eyes of the law, regardless of the purported motive behind an attack.
ü Met with the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead. During the meeting, Congressman Forbes discussed his concerns over an Outlying Landing Field (OLF), his opposition to moving an aircraft carrier to Mayport, Florida and his concern about the adequacy of ship repair funding for the Navy’s surface fleet. ü Called for increased funding for ship repair. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense encouraging increased funding in the war-time supplemental for ship repair. A bipartisan group of Congressmen joined together to seek additional funding for Navy ship repair due to a shortfall. This funding will improve the readiness of the force and better support operational training of ships, airplanes and submarines and the men and women who operate them. ü Served as Ranking Member for a House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee hearing on the Army and Marine Corps preparedness. The hearing focused on the current state of the military’s ground forces. ü Recognized the exemplary service of the members of the United States Armed Forces. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 377 commemorating Armed Forces Day, which will be celebrated on May 16th this year. ü Honored the military achievements from the D-Day Invasion. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 259, recognizing the heroic action of the D-Day Invasion at Normandy. June 6, 1944, was one our Nation’s proudest days and had a significant impact on the outcome of World War II. ü Supported reforming the Defense Departments purchasing program. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2101, bipartisan legislation crafted by the leadership of the House Armed Services Committee to ensure efficiency and oversight in the procurement of the most costly weapons systems.
ü Supported autism awareness. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 349, expressing support for designating April 2009 as “National Autism Awareness Month." This resolution commends the parents and relatives of children with autism for their dedication in providing for their special needs. The bill also supports efforts to devote new resources to researching potential causes of autism and treatments for the disorder. Autism affects an estimated 1 in every 150 children in the United States.
ü Recognized volunteers across the nation. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Res. 335 to support the goals of National Volunteer Week. Data from the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that nearly 62 million volunteers dedicated more than 8 billion hours of service to community organizations last year.
For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.
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