Controlling Government Spending Congressman Forbes supported an amendment to restore “regular order” to the consideration of annual spending bills, a key step necessary for Members' voices to be heard on runaway spending. Appropriations bills are the federal government’s annual spending bills.  Traditionally, those bills have been considered under “regular order,” which means that any Member of Congress may offer an amendment to change any spending measure within a bill. This year House Leadership has turned down most of the proposed changes and pre-selected a small number of amendments for consideration on the House floor. This essentially shuts off the opportunity for Members of Congress representing varying districts and constituents from offering their proposals.
	Providing for Veterans Medical Needs Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3082, which provides the largest level of veterans funding since World War II, and also includes advanced funding for the Veterans medical care budget. Congressman Forbes was influential in drafting language for this bill many months ago to not only authorize, but to appropriate this funding for veterans' medical needs. The bill passed the House by a vote of 415-3.
	Advancing Disease Research Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1362, the National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registries Act, which would establish for the first time national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease registries at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The information collected through the MS and Parkinson’s disease registry will provide a foundation for evaluating and understanding the diseases problems.

Called for making senior caregiving accessible and affordable. Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res. 59, which studies alternatives to make caregiving for seniors more accessible and affordable, and reviews Federal policies that relate to caregiving for seniors.

 

Supported National Men’s Health Week. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Con. Res. 142, which supports the annual National Men’s Health Week.  Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of almost 6 fewer years than women, and African-American men have the lowest life expectancy. 
This bill passed the House by a vote of 417-3. 
 

Supported Long-Term Care Hospitals. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2124, which provides regulatory stability within the Long-Term Care Hospital industry.

 

Provided financial parity for individuals with disabilities. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1205, to establish tax-exempt Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts for individuals with a disability to pay certain expenses such as education, housing, transportation, employment, medical care, and certain life necessities.
   

Highlighted the importance of simulation and logistics to current military operations. Congressman Forbes spoke at the opening of the new Army Logistics University and Simulation Training Center at Fort Lee, Virginia. He spoke about the importance of modeling and simulation collaboration in pursuit of freedom around the world. The Army Logistics University is the premier lifelong learning center for the Army’s professional military, civilian, joint, interagency, multinational, and intergovernmental partners within the sustainment community.  

 

Protected child custody rights for members of the military. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for his continued interest and participation in a hearing regarding custody rights for military families. The annual defense policy bill contains protections for parental rights for military families.

 

Recognized the achievements of the United States Submarine Force. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Con Res. 129 to congratulate the sailors of the United States Submarine Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols. The resolution honors and thanks the crews of such submarines and their families for their continued dedication and sacrifice.

 

Received testimony on the status of Army and Marine Corps reset requirements. Congressman Forbes, the Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, questioned how the Army and Marine Corps created the ongoing plan to reset the forces returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and if the plan would be adequately funded.

 

Promoted the role of faith in American heritage. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Con.Res. 131 to direct the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of "In God We Trust" in the Capitol Visitor Center. The legislation comes in response to a letter Congressman Forbes and 108 Members of Congress sent to the AOC last year requesting the ommissions be corrected. Passage of this resolution marks another important step forward in acknowledging the importance of our nation’s religious heritage and correcting the omission of historical religious content in the Capitol Visitor Center.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 410-8.

Government Reform

 

Supported eliminating excessive spending.  Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 2996, the 2010 Department of Interior and Environment spending bill. The spending for this bill is 17% more compared to last year, including a 39% increase for the Environmental Protection Agency. This funding is in addition to $420 million for programs addressing climate change, which is $189 million or 82% more than current funding.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 254-173. 

Voted against excessive spending. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 2997, which contained a 12 percent increase in spending, or $2.44 billion, over last year’s level for agricultural programs. Additionally, there is growing concern about management of the funds in the bill. For example, in 2005 and 2006, the Food and Nutrition Service, which receives funding under the bill, identified $850 million in misspent funds. That’s an error rate of 8 percent, and this bill takes no action to address the problems.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 266-160.

 

Supported increased funding for small business research. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009.  This bill increases funding the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which support the mission of the Small Business Administration. The bill increases the level of awards made under the SBIR and STTR programs from $100,000 to $250,000 for Phase I awards and from $750,000 to $2 million for Phase II awards. The final roll call vote for this legislation was 386-41 in favor of its passage.
 

 

Inquired about the amount of peanut butter purchased for federal nutrition programs. Peanut butter is a cost efficient product rich in nutrition. Congressman Forbes wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack asking him to review the amount of peanut butter the USDA purchases for federal nutrition programs.  
 

Opposed excessive spending for international programs. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 3081, the annual State Department and foreign aid bill, which includes funding for diplomatic operations, peacekeeping, foreign aid. The bill would spend 33.8% more compared to last year. This legislation also provides the largest increase ever in funding for international family planning, and reproductive health, programs.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 318 - 106.

 

Expressed support for Israel and recognized its long-standing relationship with the United States. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to express shared values between the two countries, a steadfast commitment to democracy, peace, human rights, and fighting terrorism. The letter assured a continued commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the Middle East, supporting Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and addressing the growing threat of a nuclear Iran.

 

Supported humanitarian efforts and the rule of law in Northern Uganda.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2478, the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009. This bill directs the President to develop a regional strategy to guide U.S. support for multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat to civilians and regional stability posed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA.). The LRA is listed as a terrorist organization by the State Department, and is believed that the guerrilla group has forced more than 10,000 children into becoming soldiers.

 

 

Supported the awareness of medical conditions incurred through military service. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1428 to add Parkinson's disease to the list of diseases presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service in Vietnam. This legislation would make the disease compensable under veterans’ disability compensation provided a veteran served during a certain period.

 

Called for Chrysler and GM to honor their contract commitments to auto dealers.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2743, the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 to require Chrysler and General Motors to honor their contract commitments to auto dealers as they existed prior to each company’s bankruptcy filling. This bill would also preserve dealers’ rights under state law.