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Washington Update Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District Week of May 21 - 25, 2007 |
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ü Voted in favor of H.R. 1252, the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act. H.R. 1252 would make “price gouging” of crude oil, gas, or natural gas an offense punishable by fines or jail time, if the act occurs during an energy emergency as declared by the President. Additionally, this legislation would allow a state attorney general to pursue civil action against companies or individuals who violate this law. A Consumer Relief Trust Fund would be established from the fines collected and used to provide financial assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
ü
Joined the
Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus,
a bipartisan group of Members of
Congress whose mission is to increase awareness of the various forms of
renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2264, which would make oil-producing and exporting cartels, such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), illegal under U.S. law. This legislation would prohibit foreign countries from forming cartels or other associations to affect the market, supply, price, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or other petroleum product in the United States. The Attorney General would be authorized to enforce this legislation under U.S. antitrust laws. The possibility of sovereign immunity for foreign states found in violation of this legislation would be waived.
ü Cosponsored H. Res. 351, a resolution to help reject amnesty legislation, deter illegal immigration and restore the rule of law in our country. The resolution recognizes that the failure of the federal government to enforce existing immigration laws has led to a 20-year influx of aliens unlawfully crossing the borders of the United States. It further acknowledges that granting amnesty to the millions of illegal aliens residing in our country is fiscally irresponsible and would place heavy financial burdens on American taxpayers and impose national security risks to the country.
ü Supported H.R. 2399, the Alien Smuggling & Terrorism Prevention Act. The measure increases criminal penalties for knowingly bringing an illegal immigrant into the United States, transporting an illegal immigrant within the country, harboring an illegal immigrant, or encouraging illegal immigrants to enter the country.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2206, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, which provides funding for the U.S. military fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Provisions of the legislation include:
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. This legislation, the “lobbying reform” bill, would require registered lobbyists to file quarterly disclosure reports on all lobbying activities and federal election-related political contributions. These reports would be maintained in an electronic database available to the public free of charge and searchable over the Internet. In addition, this legislation would increase penalties for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2317, the Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007, which would require all lobbyists who bundle two or more contributions to a candidate for federal elected office, an individual holding federal office, a political party committee or a leadership political action committee (PAC), each quarter to file a quarterly report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
ü Supported H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007, legislation that would establish grants for state and local veterans outreach programs to ensure veterans are aware of their benefits and available services.
ü Supported H.R. 612, the Returning Servicemember Veterans Affairs Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007, legislation that would extend the term of free healthcare for returning service members from two years to five years - a change that is intended to help veterans who may have health problems that do not become apparent until well after their military discharge.
ü Supported H.R. 1470, the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, which mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to have chiropractic care available at 75 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers by 2009 and all VA medical centers by 2011. Previous legislation requires the VA to provide chiropractic services at its medical facilities, but the VA had not implemented the practice quickly.
ü Supported H.R. 2199, the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007, legislation that would authorize new research centers for traumatic brain injury and a comprehensive program for treating traumatic brain injuries at health centers operated by the VA.
ü Supported H.R. 2239, the Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Act, legislation that would extend eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits to severely disabled servicemembers not yet discharged from the military.
ü Voted in favor of H.Res. 402, legislation supporting National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 20-26, 2007. This resolution supports the work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, and other appropriate federal agencies, to educate people in the United States about hurricane preparedness.
ü Cosponsored H.R. 1926, the Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2007. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in America. Early detection through colonoscopy screening is the most effective method to prevent and treat this disease. This legislation would increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for a colonoscopy and authorize coverage for a pre-procedure appointment.
ü Passed H.R. 2272, 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007, which establishes science, mathematics, education, engineering, technology, research, and training programs at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
ü Cosponsored the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act. This legislation would make it illegal to manufacture, create, distribute or possess, with intent to distribute, controlled substances that are flavored, colored, packaged or otherwise altered in a way that is designed to appeal to a person under 21 years of age.
ü Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on H.R. 1943, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act about current practices for testing inmates for HIV/AIDS. This legislation would require routine HIV testing for all federal prison inmates upon entry and prior to release from Federal Bureau of Prison facilities unless the inmate refuses the test. Under the proposal, the Bureau of Prisons would have six months from enactment to offer HIV/AIDS testing for current inmates. Congressman Forbes is a cosponsor of this legislation
ü Cosponsored H.R. 2325, the Court and Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act, legislation that would increase penalties for crimes committed against United States judges and federal law enforcement officers. It would also authorize federal judges and prosecutors to carry firearms and assist in the implementation of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act, allowing retired police officers to carry concealed firearms.
ü Cosponsored H.R. 2466, the Violent Crime Reduction Act, legislation that would increase penalties for violent crimes in conjunction with racketeering activities and create a new criminal offense for violent acts committed during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In addition, this legislation would increase the enhanced penalties for the use of a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. It also allows the Attorney General to establish anti-gang task forces, consisting of federal, state and local law enforcement for the investigation and prosecution of violent gangs.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 1525, the Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2007, legislation that would make it a criminal offense for an individual to intentionally access a protected computer without authorization for criminal activities; to obtain or transmit personal information with the intent to defraud or injure a person; or to impair the security protection of a computer. A Consumer Reports survey found that consumers paid as much $7.8 billion in 2004-2005 to repair or replace computers that were infected with viruses and spyware.
ü
Cosponsored
H.R. 2104,
the Public Prayer Protection Act, which seeks to protect the right
of elected and appointed officials to express their religious beliefs
through public prayer by removing all establishment clause cases involving
prayer by public officials from federal court jurisdiction to the jurisdiction of state courts. ü Signed a letter with other Members of Congress encouraging continued funding of Title V abstinence education programs, and cosponsored legislation to tie Title V abstinence education funding with Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) in order to increase the chances that abstinence education would be funded. Current Congressional leadership has announced plans to discontinue funding abstinence education programs under Title V. In the past, Title V and TMA have been reauthorized together. Abstinence education programs have proven effective in teaching teenagers to stay healthy, develop strong self-esteem, and making a positive impact on their future.
For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.
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