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Washington Update Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Virginia's Fourth Congressional District Week of October 22-26, 2007 |
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ü Cosponsored H.R. 1589, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, which allows the spouses of combat-wounded veterans who received Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for their injuries the ability to receive the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities they would have previously been entitled to, had it not been for the DIC payments. Currently, spouses of combat-wounded veterans who get DIC receive reduced pension benefits in the event the former military member passes away. The current reduction in benefits is equal to the amount of DIC payments. ü Cosponsored H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act, which fixes a policy error that led to service members who were discharged from the military due to a combat-related injury subsequently losing part of their enlistment bonus. The current policy prohibits bonuses from being paid in full to service members unless their entire military obligation is fulfilled. The President’s Commission on Care for our Nation’s Returning Wounded Warriors, co-chaired by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary Donna Shalala, found that the Department of Defense (DoD) is unfairly penalizing our nation’s wounded veterans by not providing them with their full enlistment bonuses. This legislation would require the DoD to provide veterans who have been discharged due to combat-related wounds with the full payment of any and all remaining bonuses within 30 days of discharge. The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act is supported by Disabled American Veterans, the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. ü Cosponsored H.Res. 542, a resolution which recognizes the invaluable contributions of the National Guard. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest enduring institutions. Guardsmen contributed significantly to our nation’s efforts in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Currently, the National Guard is playing a key role in Afghanistan and Iraq. As of July 31, 2007, 242,271 Guardsmen had been deployed to these two countries.
ü Voted in favor of H.R. 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. H.R. 1955 would establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence to examine and report on the causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the U.S. The legislation would also establish a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to study the social, criminal, political, psychological, and economic roots of these issues. Furthermore, H.R. 1955 includes languages stating that in carrying out its efforts, the Department of Homeland Security shall not violate rights of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, remain committed to racial neutrality, and implement an auditing mechanism to ensure compliance with protecting civil rights and liberties. ü Questioned witnesses before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Hearing on Organized Retail Theft. Organized Retail Theft is the theft of large quantities of merchandise by a crime ring. Unlike shoplifting or simple theft, organized retail theft rings steal the merchandise with the intention of reselling it back into the marketplace. Theft rings typically target merchandise that can be easily concealed, such as medication, razor blades, infant formula, batteries, CDs and DVDs or larger valuable items such as designer clothes, home appliances and consumer electronics. The merchandise is then sold on online auction website. To read more about the hearing, click here.
ü Hosted House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (MO-04) on Saturday at the U.S. Joint Forces Command Joint (JFCOM) Warfighting Center in Suffolk, VA. As part of his responsibilities as Chairman, Rep. Skelton frequently makes visits to military bases in the United States and around the world. The visit was in response to an invitation by Congressman Forbes to see what capabilities JFCOM provides for our nation’s military. To learn more about Chairman Skelton's tour at JFCOM, click here. ü Participated in negotiations on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The House and Senate are entering conference negotiations to reconcile the differences between the defense authorization bill passed in each chamber of Congress. On Tuesday, October 23, 2007, Congressman Forbes participated in a conferee meeting related to military readiness issues, which include training, logistics, and maintenance issues. On Thursday, October 25, 2007, Congressman Forbes participated in a meeting on seapower issues. Once an agreement on a joint bill is reached, both the House and the Senate will vote on the legislation and, if passed in both chambers, the bill will be sent to the President for his signature. ü Authored a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging their support for the Global Combat Support Systems, Army (GCSS-A). The program is an essential component of the Army’s Single Automated Logistics Enterprise effort to bring its logistics efforts into the 21st century and will improve coordination between other Army and Joint Command control systems. The GCSS-A was funded at $94.7 million by the House and $59.7 million by the Senate. The GCSS-A is under development in the Fourth Congressional District in Chester, VA.
ü Supported H.R. 3776, the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007. H.R. 3776 would provide for a research, development, and demonstration program by the Secretary of Energy to support the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution. ü Supported H.Res. 751, which supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week. This resolution recognizes the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to the technological progress and the health of many industries through new jobs, higher economic growth, and an improved standard of living. This resolution also recognizes the need to increase the number of Americans from under-represented groups that participate in science and technology fields like chemistry and supports the goals of National Chemistry Week as founded by the American Chemical Society. The resolution encourages the people of the United States to observe National Chemistry Week to demonstrate the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives. To learn more about National Chemistry Week, click here. ü Supported H.R. 3775, the Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and Development Act of 2007. H.R. 3775 would establish a program within the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the research and development of new industrial processes and technologies that optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance, utilize diverse sources of energy, and increase economic competitiveness.
ü Supported H.R. 1011, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007. H.R. 1011 would designate additional National Forest System lands in Virginia as wilderness or a wilderness study areas and designate the Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. The bill would also establish the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas and provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness and scenic areas. ü Supported H.R. 767, the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act. H.R. 767 would authorize the Secretary of Interior, working through the Fish and Wildlife Service, to create the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, & Immediate Response (REPAIR) Grant Program in order to offer grants to control invasive, non-native fish and wildlife species. The bill would also authorize the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance for one year to state or local agencies or non-governmental entities to immediately respond to outbreaks of non-native invasive species. Finally, the bill would require the Secretary to create and manage a cooperative volunteer program, which would enable individual volunteers and civic organizations to monitor and control harmful non-native species. For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes' work on legislative issues, visit the Spotlight Issues page on his website.
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