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.
Voted in favor of H.Res. 1142, a resolution recognizing National Missing Children’s Day and reminding Americans to remember the children who are still missing and to continue efforts to reunite them with their families.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 952, which expresses support for a National Teachers Day to recognize our nation’s teachers each year. As a cosponsor of this resolution, Rep. Forbes believes it imperative to honor our children’s teachers for their selfless dedication, knowledge, and sacrifice.
Supported House passage of H.R. 5715, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. The bill would increases the annual loan limits on federal unsubsidized student loans by $2,000 for all students in good academic standing. Additionally, this legislation would allow parents who have been delinquent on their home mortgage or medical bills for up to 180 days to still qualify for a parent PLUS loan. H.R. 5715 also would give the Secretary of Education the temporary authority to purchase loans from lenders in the federal guaranteed loan program to ensure that lenders have access to capital to make new loans.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 1097, which expresses support for the designation of April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The intent would be to raise awareness of the traumatic situation facing some of our Nation’s children and to emphasize our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in a healthy and nurturing environment.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 259, a resolution honoring the work of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, its member senior nutrition programs throughout the country, and their annual March For Meals campaigns for providing meal services to people in need.
Signed a letter to House Conferees on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, H.R. 4137, in support of a modeling and simulation grant program, H.R. 4165. H.R. 4165 provides grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation (M&S) at institutions of higher education. Congressman Forbes is Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus.
Signed a letter to House Conferees on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, H.R. 4137, in support of The Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007. The MSI Act establishes a new grant program that provides up to $250 million per year for five years to strengthen the ability of MSIs to purchase wireless network technologies and other information communications technology to increase engineering, math and science research.
Voted for an amendment to H.R. 5501 to encourage partnerships between African postsecondary educational institutions and U.S. colleges and universities, particularly Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This amendment will enable these institutions to coordinate efforts to strengthen the health systems of African host countries and train medical professionals to help fight the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 1013, which expresses the sense of Congress that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 978, which designates the week of March 3-7, 2008, as “School Social Work Week” to promote awareness of the vital role of school social workers in helping students prepare for their future as productive citizens.
Supported House passage of H.Res. 930, which designates February as “Career and Technical Education Month” and recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in America.
Cosponsored H.Res. 952, which expresses the sense of Congress that there should be a National Teacher Day to recognize our nation’s teachers each year.
Supported House passage of H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, which reauthorizes the federal government's major federal student aid programs. H.R. 4137 raises the maximum Pell Grant award per student to $9,000 from $5,800, and increases the funding level for Historically Black Colleges and Universities from $300 million to $500 million. To benefit military families, the bill provides in-state tuition rates to dependents of military service members within their current state of residence, provided they have lived in that state for at least 30 days, and allows the dependent to retain this tuition rate through graduation.
Applauded the inclusion of a modeling and simulation grant program, H.R. 4165, within H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. H.R. 4165 provides grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation (M&S) at institutions of higher education. Congressman Forbes is Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, and is also leading the 3rd Annual Modeling and Simulation Leadership Summit on February 11, 2008. The Summit will be held in the Hampton Roads area, and will focus on M&S as it relates to education.
Applauded the inclusion of The Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007 within H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. The MSI Act establishes a new grant program that provides up to $250 million per year for 5 years to strengthen the ability of MSIs to purchase wireless network technologies and other information communications technology to increase engineering, math and science research. The MSI Act bridges the digital divide by enabling these institutions to offer students the same access to technology as their peers at other institutions of higher learning. MSIs are a category of educational institutions that includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Less than half of MSI students own computers and 88% of HBCUs have only the minimum standard of connectivity. Additionally, while over 60 percent of the U.S. population uses the Internet at home, only 37 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of African Americans have Internet access at home. Congressman Forbes first introduced the MSI grant program bill in 2003, and has introduced it in every subsequent Congress. To read more about Congressman Forbes' thoughts on the MSI grant program, click here.
Cosponsored H.R. 4165, which would provide grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at colleges and universities. The bill would make grants of $750,000 available to schools that already have an established modeling and simulation program and also to schools that wish to establish a new program. The bill would require schools to develop matching funds as well to demonstrate their commitment to the project. Congressman Forbes is co-chairman of the Modeling & Simulation Caucus.
Voted in favor of H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. H.R. 1429 amends the 1965 Head Start Act to revise and reauthorize Head Start programs, the nation’s primary early childhood development program for low-income youth. Specifically, this legislation increases funding by $450 million to $7.35 billion for fiscal year 2008, increases the number of qualified children by raising the eligibility to 130% above the poverty level, and requires that at least 50 percent of Head Start teachers programs must have a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education. Moreover, H.R. 1429 codifies the provision which allows faith-based organizations to be Head Start agencies, and establishes a new grant program where successful Head Start agencies are designated as Center for Excellence responsible for providing and disseminating best practices for achieving early academic success to other Head Start agencies in the State.
Co-Sponsored H.R. 2588, the Comprehensive Coverdell Modernization Act, which contains three provisions to keep Coverdell Education Savings Agreements (ESAs) a viable option for families’ long-term financial planning for educational expenses by accounting for the growing rate of inflation and increased tuition costs. Specifically, the Comprehensive Coverdell Modernization Act would double the current after-tax contribution limit to $4,000 from $2,000.
Supported the conference report to H.R. 2669, College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which provides a $1,900 increase (over a five year period) per student who receives a Pell Grant, a federal grant program that allocates funds to students who demonstrate financial need. In addition, this legislation would lower student loan interest rates to 3.4 percent, provide $4,000 grants to promising students who committed to teaching high-need subjects, and provide $510 million to a grant program for schools that serve minorities.
Voted in favor of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act, which would provide a $500 increase per student who receives a Pell Grant, a federal grant program that allocates funds to students who demonstrate financial need. In addition, this legislation would lower student loan interest rates to 3.2%.
Supported H.R. 1469, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, which would create a foundation that would award grants for students to study overseas, with particular emphasis on students studying in nontraditional overseas locations.
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.
Voted in favor of H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act. This bill would allow for continuation and improvement of the Head Start program, within the Department of Health and Human Services, beginning in 2008 through 2012. In order to strengthen Head Start, this legislation emphasizes school preparation for disadvantaged children, strengthens academic quality standards and improves the management and transparency of the Head Start program. Since 1965, Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood services to low-income preschool children and their families.
Applauded passage of H.Con.Res. 121, legislation recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education. The resolution asserts the importance of music education in the development of critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication and teamwork skills, and how those benefits can increase student achievement in other academic areas to better prepare them for entrance in a competitive workplace.
Voted in favor of H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act, legislation that seeks to increase U.S. math and science teachers by 10,000 each year, through scholarships to science, math and engineering students who commit to becoming science or math teachers at elementary and secondary schools upon completion of their degrees.
Voted in favor of H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, which would provide federal support for young scientists and engineers performing research at higher education institutions to ensure that the next generation of high-tech industries and products are developed in the U.S. It would also provide additional resources to an existing National Science Foundation program to help researchers establish a lab to pursue innovative research in emerging fields.
Cosponsored H.R. 1622, which would provide a waiver for Virginia schools from the sanctions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for schools that are deemed "failing" under NCLB. Schools would be eligible for this waiver if they meet a particular criteria and receive approval from the Governor. This legislation allows Virginia schools that are struggling with the current Limited English Proficiency (LEP) standard to be released from the burden of NCLB sanctions.
Cosponsored H.R. 1486, the Empowering Parents Through Choice Act. This legislation would provide an option for low-income students attending a school that has been deemed as failing according to No Child Left Behind. It would provide the students with $4,000 in funding to attend a private school or to support supplemental education, such as tutoring programs and other academic assistance.
Cosponsored the Flexibility for Champion Schools Act. This bill would allow more flexibility to states under No Child Left Behind. Under the proposed legislation, the Department of Education would grant waivers to states that establish their own standards, set pass-rate goals and hold schools accountable for progress. Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL), the state's yearly progress standards, have proven successful in academic standards and student testing. Meeting both federal and state standards often becomes repetitive and expensive for states that already employ state standards that are often higher than the federal requirements.
Cosponsored H.R. 686, which will create a permanent tuition deduction for qualified taxpayers on post-secondary education. This legislation would allow families and individuals to continue taking a deduction of up to $4,000 for qualifying education expenses.
Cosponsored the National Science Education Tax Incentive for Businesses Act of 2007, H.R. 37. This bill would provide benefits for both businesses and students, allowing a 100 percent tax credit for businesses when they donate items to schools such as computers, microscopes or other laboratory equipment. This tax credit also includes training opportunities businesses provide for teachers, such as externships, related to science, mathematics, technology and engineering.
Met with engineering deans from six Virginia colleges to discuss the future of math, science, and engineering education. Among the topics discussed were how to encourage middle school-aged children to become interested in math and science, how to encourage our college freshman to stay enrolled in engineering programs, and how to best encourage and position America as a force in the fields of math, science, and engineering.
Hailed the passage of H. Res. 182, a resolution to congratulate Virginia State University (VSU) on their 125th anniversary. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Forbes, passed on March 6, 2007, the very date of the anniversary. VSU President Eddie Moore joined Congressman Forbes in Washington, D.C. last week, for the occasion.
Cosponsored H.Res. 135, legislation that would create a National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week. During this week, HBCUs would be recognized for their achievements in higher education and their prominent role in the history of the United States. There are 103 HBCUs in the United States.
Joined Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY) in sending a letter to other Members of Congress urging their support of The Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act, which would help eliminate the technology gap at Minority Serving Institutions.
Voted in favor of the College Student Relief Act of 2007, which would lower the interest rate on undergraduate subsidized loans from 6.8% to 3.4% over a period of five years.
