Signed a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Dingell and Ranking Member Barton in support of Title V Abstinence Education programs. This letter expressed support for reauthorizing and maintaining the integrity of this important program that teaches teens how to make healthy decisions about their future. These programs have been shown to be effective in nearly a dozen different studies. The Title V program provides $50 million annually for abstinence education that is distributed on a formula basis to states, and every four federal dollars must be matched by three state and local dollars. Without Congressional action, Title V is set to expire on June 30, 2008.
Voted in favor of H.Res. 1243, Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day. This resolution commends the millions of fathers who serve as wonderful, caring parents for their children, and calls on fathers across the United States to use Father's Day to reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives, spend Father's Day with their children, and express their love and support for their children. It also urges men to understand the level of responsibility fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement of children's moral, academic and spiritual development.
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.
Supported H.Res. 1185, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should recognize the important contributions of Americans who serve as foster parents and, who by doing so, unselfishly open their homes and family lives to children in need.
Wrote a letter to the Architect of the Capitol requesting information on the display content for the videos and permanent displays in the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC). There are concerns that our country’s religious history will not be represented in the new Capitol Visitors Center as originally agreed upon by several working groups. Previous requests for official documentation of the permanent exhibits and the introductory video to be seen by each visitor at the beginning of Capitol tours have been denied. Under the previous Architect of the Capitol, such documentation was routinely provided. Currently, the CVC has been unable to provide the content of the finalized plan and intends to open in the fall of 2008.
Joined the Congressional Caucus on Religious Minorities in the Middle East, a bipartisan Congressional Member Organization dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges facing religious minorities in Middle Eastern nations. The caucus monitors the conditions that religious minorities face while in the Middle East, U.S. government’s response to the needs of these communities, and changing religious demographics of the region. The caucus also considers how U.S. foreign policy can strengthen the moderating effects of diversity by protecting minorities in the region that are facing discrimination and violence. The Middle East is a place of great religious diversity, but over the last several decades, many religious populations, particularly Christian, have left the region due to violence and increasing tensions between different religious demographics.
Wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee supporting H.Res. 888, the Religious Heritage Resolution. H. Res. 888 recognizes some of the many examples of how religious faith has influenced America’s founding and subsequent history, and would establish the first week of May as America’s Religious History Week to commemorate this aspect of our nation’s heritage. Chairman Henry Waxman has so far refused to place H.Res. 888 on the committee’s schedule for consideration because of its religious content.
Joined 38 other Members of Congress in introducing H.Res. 1076, a resolution supporting the right of parents to homeschool their children. This resolution was introduced in response to a recent California Appeals Court ruling denying parents the fundamental right to educate their children at home. H.Res. 1076 commends the Court for allowing a rehearing in this matter and calls upon the court to uphold the United States Supreme Court’s opinion that parents have a fundamental and constitutional right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
Spoke to members of the Values Action Team about H.Res. 888, the Religious Heritage Resolution. Rep. Forbes spoke to advocacy groups in attendance about the importance of honoring our nation’s vibrant religious heritage, and encouraged them to ask Members of Congress to sign on as cosponsors. H.Res. 888 is a resolution that honors America’s religious and spiritual heritage and designates the first week of May as American Religious History Week. The Values Action Team was established in 1998 to provide a discussion and dialogue forum for Members of Congress and organizations concerned about family and social issues in the United States.
Cosponsored H.R. 4852, the Positive Alternatives Act, which would ensure that states have the flexibility to use their TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant dollars to offer alternative-to-abortion services to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. This includes information or counseling that promotes childbirth instead of abortion and assists pregnant women in making informed decisions about parenting or adoption.
Introduced H. Res 888, a Resolution affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation’s founding and subsequent history. This resolution examines the religious history of our nation and how religion is reflected in our nation’s documents, events throughout our nation’s history, and places throughout our nation’s capitol, such as the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress, and the United States Capitol Building. H. Res 888 also designates the first week in May of every year as American Religious History Week for the appreciation of and education about America’s history of religious faith. To view a version of H.Res.888 with sources for historical references listed throughout, click here.
Signed a letter to President Bush supporting Abstinence Education funding. The letter asked the President to insist that Congress maintain his requested funding levels for abstinence education programs in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill.
Voted in favor of H.Res. 847, which recognizes the importance of Christmas and the Christian Faith. This resolution would recognize the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world, express continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide and acknowledge the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. The resolution would also acknowledge and support the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization, reject bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide, and express the deepest respect of the House of Representatives to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
Cosponsored H.Res. 847, which would recognize the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. This bill would recognize the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world, express continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide, and acknowledge the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. The resolution would also acknowledge and support the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization, reject bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide, and express deep respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
Authored a letter defending America’s religious and spiritual heritage to the Director of the National Park Service, Mary Bomar, demanding that the replica of the top of the Washington Monument be properly displayed so that the inscription Laus Deo, which means “Praise be to God,” is fully visible. Additionally, the letter asked that all educational materials and signage accurately reflect America’s religious and spiritual heritage. The letter was sent with the signatures of 18 Members of Congress following reports that the display had been changed to remove any mention of the inscription, and the replica had been placed facing a wall so that it was hidden from view. Shortly after the letter was sent, NPS issued a statement acknowledging the oversight and committing to redesign the display so that the Laus Deo inscription could be seen.
Cosponsored H.R. 3908, the Loyalty to Our Legacy Act of 2007, which would ensure that the new Capitol Visitor Center will preserve America’s religious heritage by requiring that the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the national motto `In God We Trust' are each displayed prominently there on a permanent basis. This bill would also ensure that in preparing and producing any exhibit or other material relating to the Capitol Visitor Center, the Architect of the Capitol may not remove or refuse to include any language, symbol, writing, document, or record on the grounds that the language, symbol, writing, document, or record includes a religious reference or Judeo-Christian content.
Voted to uphold the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman by opposing H.R. 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). H.R. 3685 would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on “actual or perceived” sexual orientation. Congressman Forbes offered a motion that would have preserved the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, by ensuring that nothing in the Act could be construed to modify, limit, restrict, or in any way overturn any State or Federal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, including the use of the Act as a legal predicate in litigation on the issue of marriage. Specifically, this would have prevented courts from citing ENDA as justification for striking down so-called “discriminatory” marriage laws in the 49 of 50 states that currently restrict marriage to between one man and one woman. The motion failed and Congressman Forbes voted against final passage of H.R. 3685.
Signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4157, the Sanctity of Life Act, which would declare that the life of each human begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, at which point every human being shall have all the legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood.
Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 239, which recognizes and honors birthparents who carry out an adoption plan. This legislation states that birthparents should be recognized, honored, and commended for making a loving decision to carry out an adoption plan, recognizes adoption as a loving, viable option in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. November is National Adoption Month.
Introduced H.R. 3779, the Andrew Larochelle God, Family and Country Act of 2007, along with Reps. Mike Turner (OH-03), Marilyn Musgrave (CO-04), Steve Pearce (NM-02), and Steve King (IA-05), which would require the Architect of the Capitol to permit the acknowledgment of God on flag certificates that are issued at the request of a Member of the United States House of Representatives or of the United States Senate. In recent months, the Architect of the Capitol had censored the word “God” and other religious expressions from several requests for flag certificates, stating that the use of the word “God” violated the Architect’s rules prohibiting religious references on flag certificates. In response, Congressman Forbes joined with over 160 other Members of Congress in signing a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting an immediate review of the authority under which the Architect was making these rules, and seeking the reversal of this policy which censored citizens’ right to free expression of their faith. As a result of this action, the Architect of the Capitol announced new guidelines that would not restrict religious expression on flag certificates. H.R. 3779 will permanently protect Americans’ freedom of religious expression and ensure that future Architects of the Capitol will not be able to change the policy arbitrarily.
Spoke before the Values Action Team about H.R. 2807, the Patients First Act, which Congressman Forbes introduced. The Patients First Act promotes research using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients without the creation or destruction of human embryos. The bill puts the priority for funding on treating patients using successful stem cell therapies, and will intensify research that may result in treatments for numerous diseases and other adverse health conditions. The Values Action Team was established in 1998 to connect conservative Members of Congress with pro-family coalitions.
Supported H.R. 3668, the Transitional Medical Assistance, Abstinence Education, and Qualifying Individuals Programs Extension Act of 2007. This bill extends funding through December 31, 2007 for abstinence education programs and provides for the extension of transitional medical assistance, which provides temporary health care coverage to families that have become ineligible for Medicaid because of increased earnings - often triggered by leaving welfare for work. The bill also extends funding for the qualifying individuals program.
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;
* promote research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing clinical benefit for human patients; and
* promote the creation of pluripotent stem cell lines without the creation of human embryos, or the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, human embryos.
Joined 176 Members of Congress in opposing S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which would allow federal funding for research that utilizes viable human embryonic stem cells. Federal funding for such research is currently prohibited under federal law. Congressman Forbes supports federal funding for meaningful research using ethically-obtained stem cell lines but does not support the destruction of human life for the purposes of medical research.
Cosponsored H.R. 2104, the Public Prayer Protection Act, which seeks to protect the right of elected and appointed officials to express their religious beliefs through public prayer by removing all establishment clause cases involving prayer by public officials from federal court jurisdiction to the jurisdiction of state courts.
Signed a letter with other Members of Congress encouraging continued funding of Title V abstinence education programs, and cosponsored legislation to tie Title V abstinence education funding with Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) in order to increase the chances that abstinence education would be funded. Current Congressional leadership has announced plans to discontinue funding abstinence education programs under Title V. In the past, Title V and TMA have been reauthorized together. Abstinence education programs have proven effective in teaching teenagers to stay healthy, develop strong self-esteem, and making a positive impact on their future.
Supported H.Res. 263, recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity for Congress to improve the foster care system throughout the United States. Approximately half a million children in this country are in foster care.
Voted in favor of H. Res. 385, which would recognize National AmeriCorps Week, May 13-20, 2007. This resolution encourages all citizens to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni, acknowledge the significant accomplishments these corps members, alumni and community partners make, and encourage citizens of all ages to participate in service opportunities. AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year through service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
Signed a letter to Chairman Jerrold Nadler, of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to request the subcommittee to hold a hearing on the Right to Life Act, H.R. 618, which declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, defining "human being" to mean all stages of life, including but not limited to the moment of fertilization or cloning. The hearing would be the first step on the issue in the 110th Congress.
Authored a letter, signed by 19 Members of Congress, to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to ask their support for full funding of abstinence education programs in the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2008. Abstinence education programs have proven effective in teaching teenagers to stay healthy, develop strong self-esteem, and making a positive impact on their future.
Announced the formation of a "Call to Prayer for America." Congressman Forbes, Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, was joined by over 35 other Members of Congress from 21 states for a bi-partisan press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Members officially gathered to recognize the significant role that prayer has played in the history of our nation and to encourage individuals to pray for America.
Cosponsored H.R. 1457, the Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act of 2007. This legislation would provide for research and services for individuals with post-abortion depression and psychosis, including case management, screening and comprehensive treatment services for women at risk for post-abortion conditions, and also support services for their families. This purpose of this legislation is to gain a better understanding on how abortion affects women and families.
Cosponsored the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act. This legislation would require those who perform abortions on unborn children as early as 20 weeks to inform the mother that, at that stage, their baby has the ability to feel pain, to cry, to breathe and to survive outside of the womb. It would also provide the mother with the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child.
Cosponsored H.R. 628, the Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act, legislation to aid families adopting orphans from foreign countries. Because of the wait time between an application approval and receiving a child, many families' applications expire, requiring them to repeat the expensive and time-consuming application process. The entire process of international adoption can cost thousands of dollars.
Cosponsored H. Res. 179, a resolution supporting National Foster Parents Day, to recognize the contributions of foster parents across the nation. Foster parents, who open their homes and hearts to children, play a vital role in helping children launch into successful adulthood. Approximately half a million children in this country are in foster care.
Signed onto H.Con.Res. 62, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, a day to encourage adults in their support of children.
Cosponsored the Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2007, H.R. 725. This legislation would bar judges from awarding legal fees to groups that sue municipalities for violating the Constitution's ban on government establishment of religion. Because judges often require municipalities that lose these types of lawsuits to reimburse their opponents' legal fees, citizens end up paying these bills with their own tax dollars. This legislation passed the House in the 109th Congress but failed to pass the Senate.
Sent a letter to other Members of Congress urging their support for the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act when it is introduced in the 110th Congress. In October of 2006, baby Amilla Taylor was born at 21 weeks and 6 days, becoming the youngest documented premature infant to survive. This bill would require those who perform abortions on unborn children at 20 weeks to inform the mother that, at that stage, their baby has the ability to feel pain, to cry, to breathe and to survive outside of the womb.
Cosponsored Holly's Law, H.R. 63, legislation that would ask for the withdrawal of the approved application of the Federal Drug Administration for the drug RU-486, dubbed "the morning-after pill," which is used for the chemically-induced termination of pregnancy. The FDA has acknowledged the deaths of eight women associated with the drug.
Cosponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would amend the federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor across a state lines to obtain an abortion and avoid the home state's abortion laws.
Cosponsored The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007, H.R. 471, which would make permanent a $10,000 child adoption tax credit that is set to expire in 2010. H.R. 471 would ensure a tax relief for parents who are making the important commitment to adopt a child. Congressman Forbes has been an advocate of similar legislation to promote adoption, such as the Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act.
Worked to continue and expand the Congressional Prayer Caucus (CPC) in the 110th Congress. Throughout the more than 200-year history of our nation, prayer has played a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our society. The purpose of the CPC is to recognize and protect the vital role that prayer by individuals of all faiths has played in the lives of the American people and the nation.
Cosponsored the Marriage Protection Act to stand up for traditional marriage values and protect traditional marriage from being subject to activist court decisions.
Cosponsored the Right to Life Act, which declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, defining "human being" to mean all stages of life, including but not limited to the moment of fertilization or cloning. It is the duty of all Americans to protect our children - born and unborn. This bill would provide protection to all unborn children from the moment of conception.
Voted against HR 3, the The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which prevents the use of federal tax-payer dollars for funding incentives for embryo destruction at in vitro fertilization clinics. Congressman Forbes supports other methods of encouraging alternative stem cell research that does not include the unethical destruction of embryos. He also supports funding new scientific research methods that do not cross ethical boundaries and destroy life.
