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Washington Update Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District Week of June 10 - 16, 2007 and Week of June 17 - 23, 2007 |
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ü Introduced and passed an amendment to cut $3 million to Ethiopia during consideration of H.R. 2764, the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Congressman Forbes offered the amendment to demonstrate Congress’s concern that Ethiopia is still holding political prisoners from 2005. Among the 38 prisoners that were convicted of various crimes against the government on June 11, 2007, is Dr. Yacob Hailemariam, a former Norfolk State University professor who also led the prosecution during the U.N. tribunals on the Rwandan genocide. The amendment was unanimously accepted by the House of Representatives. Said Congressman Forbes, “I hope this will send a message to the Government of Ethiopia that we are watching. It is my hope that we see a positive resolution to this situation that has been going on for nearly two years. If I hear from the State Department that this situation is resolved before this bill goes to Conference, I’ll be happy to ask that this money be restored. But we cannot accept the status quo when there are 38 prisoners facing sentencing next month.”
ü
Supported
H.R. 1441,
which strengthens controls on the export of surplus F-14 fighter aircraft
parts. Iran is the only country in the world that still flies F-14
aircraft, so this will restrict Iran's ability to maintain those aircraft.
The bill passed on Monday, June 11, 2007.
ü Voted against H.R. 2764, the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which loosens restrictions on taxpayer funds from subsidizing organizations that promote abortion overseas. The bill also eliminated funding for reconstruction in Iraq. The bill passed by a vote of 241 – 178. The President has promised a veto on any bill that weakens any federal policy or law on abortion.
ü
Supported an amendment to
H.R. 2764,
the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for
Fiscal Year 2008, which restricts aid to the fractioned Palestinian
Authority until the government can certify that it meets oversight
requirements in the distribution of aid. Recent fighting between Hamas and
Fatah has raised concerns that U.S. aid could be diverted to fund
organizations that support terrorism. The amendment passed 390 to 30.
ü Supported
H. Con.
Res. 151, which calls on Russian President Vladimir Putin to
cooperate with outside investigators in solving the murders of dozens of
independent journalists in Russia over the last decade.
ü
Hosted a RAND Congressional Briefing on Nuclear Submarine Design.
As co-chair of the Congressional Submarine Caucus, Congressman Forbes, along
with co-chair Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), hosted a briefing for Members of
Congress and their staff to learn how the United States can
retain the skilled workforce and capability to design a nuclear submarine.
For the first time since the 1954 launch of the USS Nautilus, the first
nuclear-powered submarine, a U.S. submarine is not in the design
process. To view the RAND report,
click here.
ü Introduced H. Res. 487, a resolution recognizing the contributions of modeling and simulation (M&S) and recognizing M&S as a National Critical Technology. Historically, a National Critical Technology is one that has particular value to the national security of the United States and/or significant economic impact on the country. H. Res. 487 was referred to the House Science Committee, where it passed unanimously by voice vote. It now faces consideration by the full House.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veteran's Affairs Appropriations Act of 2008, which would fund the Department of Veterans Affairs at a record $43.2 billion. The legislation represents the largest increase for veterans since the VA was created. Military construction would also receive $21.4 billion, which is $207 million more than requested and $5.1 billion over the current year's funding. The measure also completely funds the Army’s 2008 Base Realignment and Closure account.
ü Received information from the Department of Defense on the number of retired Veterans living in the Fourth Congressional District. According to the Department of Defense, more than 16,000 retired veterans who have served 20 years or more live in the Fourth District, which ranks 8th out of the 435 Congressional Districts. As a Commonwealth, Virginia is home to more than 5% of all retired veterans in the United States.
ü Voted against H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill would spend over $2.1 billion more than the President requested for Homeland Security, would prohibit the implementation of MaxHR, which gives the Department flexibility in managing its employees, and would remove a cap of 45,000 for the number of federal airport screeners. The bill also expands the Davis-Bacon provision, which requires employees to be paid at a wage that matches local area pay, to all federal projects.
ü Sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to inquire about the final rule for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Under CFATs, facilities that store specified chemical substances in excess of established thresholds would be required to complete an analysis to determine whether the facility presents a high level of security risk. In particular, Congressman Forbes sought information about the inclusion of propane on a list of chemical substances that would be subject to these storage thresholds. There are approximately 8,000 retail propane storage facilities and over 136,000 end-use customers such as farms, homeowners, small businesses, hospitals and retailers that may be required to complete a potentially burdensome and costly security risk analysis under this rule.
ü Supported H. Res. 455, legislation that supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month, celebrated in June 2007. For suggestions on teaching internet responsibility to children, visit the Creating Internet Accountability page on Congressman Forbes' website.
ü Introduced and debated an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2638, that would have put an end to a pattern of abuse in granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Department of Homeland Security can grant TPS status to the nationals of a country who are experiencing a period of crisis, such as an earthquake, for as long as 18 months and can later extend the TPS period for multiple additional periods of as long as 18 months. The Administration has begun to utilize TPS as a de facto amnesty for illegal immigrants from certain Central American countries, extending TPS for individuals multiple times. The latest extension lasted until January 2009, more than 10 years after individuals were originally granted TPS. Congressman Forbes' amendment would have returned TPS to its original intent of providing temporary refuge during temporary periods of crisis. It would bar any funds made available in this Act from being used to extend TPS for nationals of a country beyond the original period of not more than 18 months.
ü Introduced H.R. 2807, the Patients First Act. The Patients First Act bridges the political divide over embryonic stem cell research and focuses on the common goal shared by both sides of the embryonic stem cell debate - curing and treating patients. The purpose of H.R. 2807 is to:
* intensify research that may result in an improved understanding
of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions;
ü Supported
H.R. 2640,
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement
Amendments Act of 2007.
H.R. 2640 would require federal agencies to provide timely, accurate and
relevant records for use in NICS, and would create incentives for states to
provide relevant, timely and accurate records for use in NICS so that any
record disqualifying an individual from purchasing a gun would be made
more accessible in an expeditious manner. NICS would be further “cleaned
up” by requiring the removal of expired, incorrect or otherwise irrelevant
records. The bill also requires an audit by GAO to determine how much has
been spent on criminal history improvements to NICS.
ü Cosponsored H.R. 1823, the Ambulatory Surgical Center Medicare Payment Modernization Act of 2007. Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are facilities where surgeries that do not require a hospital stay are performed. These centers have historically provided high-quality, convenient, and cost-effective options for outpatient surgical needs. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) required the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a new ASC payment system by 2008, but provided little guidance on how ASCs would be paid. H.R. 1823 adopts the recommendation of the MedPAC, an independent federal body established by Congress to study issues impacting the Medicare program.
ü Voted for the SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2359. H.R. 2359 would provide relief from the disproportionate burden placed on small businesses by federal regulations and will help small businesses secure affordable health insurance. Specifically, H.R. 2359 contained a provision that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to review and evaluate federal regulations, then work with agencies to address the compliance burden for small businesses. The bill also would authorize the SBA to establish a program to help small businesses more easily comply with state and federal regulations. Additionally, it would provide grants to Small Businesses Development Centers (SBDCs) to help small-business owners identify affordable health insurance for their business and employees. On June 20th, H.R. 2359 passed in the House of Representatives and will now be considered in the Senate.
ü
Voted for the SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007,
H.R. 2366.
H.R. 2366 would reauthorize the veterans entrepreneurial development
programs of the Small Business Administration. H.R. 2366 is intended to
help veterans through grants, information services, and personal
assistance to evaluate business opportunities and become entrepreneurs in
their own right. The bill focuses on providing our veterans with the
market research, financial options and technological training important to
becoming successful in today’s business world. In addition to increasing
the number of Veteran Outreach Centers across the country, H.R. 2366 would
also ensure that women veterans are made aware of opportunities in their
local communities.
On June 18th, H.R. 2366 passed in the House
of Representatives and will now be considered in the Senate.
For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.
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