Washington Update

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


Week of October 15-19, 2007


Judiciary

ü Voted in favor of H.R. 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007.  H.R. 2102 would establish new federal protections for journalists and specific criteria that federal entities must meet in order to compel a journalist to testify or to produce any documents related to information obtained or created by that journalist as part of engaging in journalism. The criteria that a federal entity must meet in order to compel a journalist’s testimony includes proving that the testimony or document sought is critical to the prosecution’s investigation or proving that the testimony is necessary to prevent an act of terrorism against the United States. Under H.R. 2102, if a federal entity is not able to prove that a case involving a journalist meets all of the applicable criteria, then the federal entity may not compel the journalist to provide testimony.

Tax

ü Voted in favor of H.R. 3678, the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007, which would amend the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend the moratorium on certain taxes relating to the Internet and to electronic commerce until November 1, 2011.

Social Security

ü Cosigned a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (NY-15) in support of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).  The letter calls on Chairman Rangel to act on H.R. 82 and address broader reform of the Social Security system.  H.R. 82 would eliminate the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions that limit the retirement security of more than 1.3 million federal, state, county and municipal employees and their spouses.

Health

ü Voted in favor of H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, which would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify research and related activities on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.  The bill would also provide the resources for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such conditions and their families.  According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 10 percent of new moms experience postpartum depression — a more severe form of depression that can develop within the first six months after giving birth. 

ü Supported H.R. 2295, the ALS Registry Act, which would establish a registry for people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  This registry would help in an effort to collect data on the possible causes and progression of the Lou Gehrig's Disease.  Approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease every year in the United States.

ü Supported H.R. 507, the Vision Care for Kids Act, which would increase the number of low-income children who are screened and treated for vision problems.  The bill would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children identified by a licensed health care provider or vision screener, with priority to children under age nine; (2) provide treatment or services to correct vision problems of such children; and (3) develop and disseminate educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children.

ü Supported H.R. 970, the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act, which would prohibit the bulk sale of dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient used in cough syrup that can be abused when taken in large doses.  The legislation makes it illegal to distribute unfinished DXM to a person or company not registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

ü Supported the H.R. 1727, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which would expand and coordinate research on paralysis and aim to improve quality of life for paralyzed individuals.

ü Supported H.Con.Res.133, supporting the goals and ideals of a Long-Term Care Awareness Week.  The first week in November is designated as the opportunity to educate Americans on the importance of health care planning and long-term care.  The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that approximately 60 percent of individuals who are over the age of 65 will need some kind of long-term care services and at some point more than 40 percent of such individuals will require nursing home care.

ü Supported H.Res.448, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Cancer Research Month should be established to increase public awareness of the nearly 200 forms of cancer.

ü Supported H.Con.Res. 182, a resolution recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week.  It is estimated the 200,000 people in the United States are affected by the pulmonary fibrosis.  Pulmonary fibrosis harms the tissues deep in a person's lungs.  The air sacs in the  lungs and their supporting structures become inflamed and scarred and if the scarring progresses, it makes the lungs thick and stiff.  This results in problems breathing and a person's blood not getting enough oxygen.

ü Supported H.Res. 524, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a disease that should be better identified and understood in an effort to better treat and care for individuals with the disease.   DBA is a rare genetic bone marrow failure disorder that affects children and adults and results in severe anemia due to failure to produce red blood cells.  Children with DBA have an increased risk of other diseases, such as leukemia, solid tumors, and complete bone marrow failure, and 50 percent of patients with DBA are born with birth defects.

Environment

ü Supported H. Res. 725, recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which recommits to restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters and expresses a dedication to working toward a sustainable, long-term solution to address the nation's decaying water infrastructure.  The bill would encourage the public and all levels of government to renew the commitment to restoring and protecting the nation's rivers, lakes, streams, marine waters, and wetlands for future generations.

ü Supported H. Res. 549, recognizing the importance of America's Waterway Watch program, which affirms the importance of increasing maritime domain awareness, and encourages those who engage in recreational waterway activities to be aware and report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

Science

ü Voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 222, Commending NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007.  This legislation was sponsored by Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis and cosponsored by the Virginia Congressional Delegation.  After being established in 1917 as the nation's first civilian aeronautics laboratory, Langley's mission and contributions to aerospace, atmospheric sciences and technology commercialization have made significant improvements to the United States.  To learn more about the Langley Research Center, click here.

ü Supported H. Con. Res. 225, a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities.

ü Supported H. Res. 736, a resolution honoring the 60th anniversary of the aeronautics research accomplishments embodied in "the breaking of the sound barrier."  Much of NASA’s aeronautics research takes place at the NASA Langley Research Center, which just celebrated its 90th anniversary.  To learn more about the Langley Research Center, click here.

ü Supported H. Res. 716, which expresses the sense of Congress with respect raising awareness and enhancing the state of computer security in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.  Each year, the National Cyber Security Division of the Department of Homeland Security joins with the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and other partners to support National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national campaign focused on educating the American public, businesses, schools and government agencies about ways to secure their part of cyber space, computers and our nation's critical infrastructure.

 

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.

 

As always, Congressman Forbes welcomes your comments. To share your thoughts on legislation, votes or issues, please visit http://randyforbes.house.gov to send an e-mail or call any of Congressman Forbes' three district offices. 

 

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