Voted to support H.R. 6327, the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008.  This bill will provide funding to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is used for development and improvement projects for our nation’s airports.

Supported H.R. 2452, the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act.  This bill requires treatment facility operators to establish an alert system to inform the public and public health authorities in the event of sewer overflows. 

Opposed H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.  This bill would authorize another $15 billion of taxpayer money to subsidize Amtrak, which provides train service throughout the country.  It was estimated that Amtrak would break even by 1974, but it has never had a profitable year.  The $3 billion in annual spending is more than double the current federal subsidy of $1.3 billion. 

Wrote a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the Maritime Administration’s Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee program.  Funding for Title XI is vital to ensuring that small and medium sized ship owners have access to affordable financing to build ships in the United States to meet the country’s domestic commerce, energy transportation, and military sealift needs.  The financing terms and conditions facilitated by Title XI are comparable to finance rates at commercial banks to which large corporation have access.  The $60 million request could generate up to $1.2 billion in ship construction in the United States.

Voted for H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, which would increase the size of the Coast Guard by 1,500 and would reform the acquisition process for the troubled Deepwater program.  This program is the Coast Guard’s long-term program to replace its ships and aircraft at a cost of $24-billion.  The Coast Guard is one of the uniformed services of the United States and is primarily responsible for maritime security. Since 2003, it has been part of the Homeland Security Department.

Supported H.R. 1216, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007. H.R. 1216 would direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles. H.R. 1216 would require light motor vehicles to have power windows and panels that automatically reverse direction when they detect an obstruction to prevent children from being trapped, injured, or killed. The bill would also require light motor vehicles to have a rearward visibility performance standard that provides drivers with a means for detecting the presence of a person or object behind the vehicle to prevent death and injury resulting from backing incidents. The bill would require new light motor vehicles to comply with the regulations within 42 months. Finally, the bill would require the Secretary to create a database containing information about the hazards of non-traffic, non-crash accidents and a consumer information program to disseminate the information.

Supported H.R. 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act. H.R. 4343 would increase the mandatory pilot retirement age to 65. Under this legislation, pilots over the age of 60 would have to renew their First-Class Medical Certificate every six months, as well as pass a line check every six months. This legislation is not retroactive to pilots who turned 60 prior to the enactment of this legislation.

Voted in favor of H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007. H.R. 3985 would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to take into account compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of over-the-road buses when they are registering for the authority to operate in interstate commerce. An over-the-road bus is defined in this legislation as a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment.

Voted to overturn the President’s veto of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which contains critical funding for water and infrastructure projects in the 4^th District and in the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area. WRDA would authorize funds for improvements to the Deep Creek Bridge and for a study of the Chowan River Basin. Congress has not enacted a WRDA bill since 2000 due to disagreement between the House and Senate.

Cosponsored H.R. 2550, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, which would restore an exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for incidental discharges, other than ballast water, from recreational boats. Incidental discharges would include deck run-off, engine cooling water, and uncontaminated bilge water. This exemption would not impact separate regulations on oil discharge, sewage, hazardous pollutants, garbage or debris. This legislation is supported by the Congressional Boating Caucus, of which Congressman Forbes is a member.

Supported H.Con.Res. 165, which supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Driver Safety Week. This resolution encourages the people of the United States to observe the week with activities that promote licensed teenage drivers to drive safely.

Supported H. Res. 505, which recognizes the contributions of the recreational boating community and the boating industry to the continuing prosperity and affluence of the United States.

Cosponsored H.R. 1584, the Short Line Railroad Investment Act of 2007, which would extend the existing section 45G short line tax credit for an additional three years through 2010 and increase the per-mile credit of $3,500 to $4,500. The Short Line Tax Credit helps short line railroads improve their existing track to be able to handle heavier railcars and serve local customers in rural areas.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1615, the Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2007. This legislation would establish penalties for intentionally aiming laser pointers at airplanes or airplanes' flight paths. Incidents involving lasers aimed at aircraft cockpits have raised concerns over the potential threat to aviation safety and security.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1773, the Safe American Roads Act of 2007. This legislation seeks a balance between safety regulations and the fast and efficient movement of goods across the United States/Mexico border. It would prohibit Mexican trucks from operating outside designated United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border until American trucks are allowed to begin comparable operations in Mexico. This legislation also requires that the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation monitor and review the existing pilot program for Mexican trucking regulations and report the findings to Congress.

Supported H. Res. 386, legislation to recognize the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts to promote National Safe Boating Week, which is May 19 through 25, 2007. Recreational boating fatalities have declined by more than half since 1970 due to the use of proper lifejackets and safe boating education by these organizations.