|
||||||||||
|
Washington Update Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District Week of June 2 - 6, 2008 |
||||||||||
|
üVoted against the Conference Report on S.Con.Res. 70, the Congressional Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2013, which would create a $2,915 annual increase in federal taxes on the average taxpayer in the Fourth District. S.Con.Res. 70 increases spending by $526 billion over the next five years—from $2.9 trillion in FY 2008 to $3.4 trillion in FY 2013. To pay for this increased spending, this proposal would impose the largest tax increase on American taxpayers in history—$683 billion over the next five years. The Majority’s budget proposal would increase individual income tax rates, cut the child tax credit, bring back the marriage penalty, reduce small business tax credits, and raise dividends and capital gains taxes. In addition, the Majority’s budget would not address entitlement spending and would raise the national debt by $646 billion in FY2009.
ü Cosponsored H.R. 5793, the Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008. The bill prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new tax that is targeted specifically on cell phone service for five years.
ü Applauded the Senate confirmation of the nomination of Judge Agee to the Fourth Federal Circuit on May 20, 2008. The confirmation follows a letter written by Congressman Forbes and other Virginia Republicans to Senator Leahy about the impact of vacancies on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Click on the link to view the letter.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 5540, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act. This bill continues the Chesapeake Bay Watertrails Network program and provides $5 million for Bay clean-up and restoration efforts. ü Supported H.Res. 1114, which supports the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day. The mission of the Foundation is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. The Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service since 1990, helping to plant nearly 12 million trees in national forests damaged by fire, insects or other causes.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007. This bill would provide $14 billion to help support community health centers that meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations throughout the nation. ü Supported H.R. 5669, the Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008. This bill continues several poison control programs under the Department of Health and Human Services, including poison center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and grant program to provide assistance for poison prevention, sustain the funding of poison centers, and enhance the public health of the people of the United States. ü Voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 138, supporting National Men's Health Week, which seeks to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection of disease among men and boys. Since 1994, National Men's Health Week has been celebrated each June throughout the U.S. by entities that promote health awareness events focused on men and family.
ü Opposed H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act. This bill would provide $6.4 billion in federal funding for something that has, until now, been a state and local responsibility—local public school construction projects. It also mandates that schools that plan to utilize these federal funds must use 90% of all funds for energy efficient and certified “green building” modernizations, renovations, and repairs, which would prohibit them from using grant funds to pay for the cost of building maintenance, other needed renovations, or rising energy and fuel costs.
ü Cosponsored the Marriage Protection Amendment, H.J.Res. 89. After the recent California Supreme Court case that overturned the will of the people that marriage be defined between one man and one woman, several Members of Congress, including Congressman Forbes, have re-introduced the Marriage Protection Amendment. This legislation sends a clear message to the court that traditional marriage should be protected.
ü Signed a letter to Governor Kaine asking his support for H.R.5267, the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act. This bill would ensure fairness for businesses and minimize costly litigation for both state governments and taxpayers. This bill also would create the kind of legally certain and stable business environment that encourages businesses to make investments, expand interstate commerce and create new jobs. At the same time, the bill would ensure that businesses continue to pay business activity taxes to states that provide them with direct benefits and protections.
ü Met with Michele Flournoy, President of the Center for a New American Security, to discuss the ongoing readiness and personnel challenges faced by our military and opportunities to address them in the future.
ü Attended the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) 2008 Policy Conference. The event featured Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; other speakers included presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.
|
||||||||||
Budget