A Leading Voice Against Sequestration.  On Thursday, June 21st, Congressman Forbes participated in a roundtable discussion on the defense budget & sequestration at the Bloomberg Defense Conference.  This panel, moderated by Bloomberg’s Robert Levinson, also included Rep. Norm Dicks, (D-WA), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and former Department of Defense Comptroller under President George W. Bush, Dov S. Zakheim.  At this event, Congressman Forbes further warned of the dangers of cutting the budget and force structure while Combatant Commander demands increase – endangering our national security and putting our men and women who serve at risk.

Supporting Our Military’s Quality of Life.  On Tuesday, June 19th, Congressman Forbes spoke at the American Logistics Association’s Government Relations Forum on Capitol Hill.  This forum focused on strong military resale and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) programs to support our military’s quality of life.  Congressman Forbes acknowledged the vital services provided by commissaries and exchanges to our men and women in uniform and their families.  Congressman Forbes also made it clear that the defense cuts we have already made will change the military as we know it and warned that further cuts will cause irreparable harm to our security, our economy and most importantly, gut the pillars of the all-volunteer force.

Understanding the Consequences of a Nuclear Iran.  On Wednesday, June 20th, the House Armed Services Committee met to receive testimony on “Addressing the Iranian Nuclear Challenge: Understanding the Military Options.”  The witness panel at this hearing included Former Senator Charles Robb, Mr. Stephen Rademaker, and Mr. David Albright.  Congressman Forbes questioned the witnesses about how cuts to defense spending could be limiting our options to deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Called for enhanced penalties for counterfeit drugs.  Congressman Forbes supported the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act, H.R.3668, to establish a federal crime for trafficking counterfeit drugs. Current law treats counterfeit drugs the same as other counterfeit goods and carries a maximum penalty of only 10 years.  This bill brings the law into line with counterfeit goods in the military with a maximum of 20 years. This bill passed by voice vote.

Urged investigation of SWAT-ing.  Congressman Forbes joined over 80 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Holder on the issue of “SWAT-ing,” which occurs when individuals call emergency dispatchers under the guise of another person’s name with fraudulent claims, causing local law enforcement to swarm the home of innocent individuals.  The letters calls on the Attorney General to investigate these cases and commence prosecution upon determination that federal laws were broken.

Reauthorized foreign intelligence law.  During a Judiciary Committee markup, Congressman Forbes supported the FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act, H.R.5949, reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendment of 2008 for a period of five years.  In 1978, Congress enacted, and in 2008 reauthorized FISA to provide procedures for obtaining foreign intelligence.  The bill was reported favorably out of Committee by a vote of 23-11 and now awaits action in the full House. 

Supported reform to FDA drug approval process. Congressman Forbes supported a Senate amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, S.3187, which reauthorizes user fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices for 5 years, and establishes user fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars.  Additionally, the legislation requires drugmakers to notify the FDA six months in advance of any expected disruptions in the supply of certain critical drugs, and for the FDA to inform health care providers of the potential drug shortage and maintain a public list of drugs experiencing shortages. This bill passed by voice vote.

Expressed regret for discriminatory legislation of the 19th Century.  Congressman Forbes supported passage of a House Resolution that expressed the regret of the House of Representatives for passage of past laws that adversely affected people of Chinese origin in the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act.  The Chinese Exclusion Act denied Chinese immigrants access to the U.S. and prevented Chinese immigrants already in the nation the ability to naturalize as U.S. citizens.  Later this law was expanded to anyone of Chinese dissent.  This law was eventually repealed in 1943.  While the House Resolution does not authorize or support any claims of compensation, H.Res.683 takes the important step of illustrating how the previous actions of the House were improper and not in line with American ideals.  This resolution passed by voice-vote.

Declared support for the freedom, security and stability of Taiwan.  Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res.39, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the freedom, security, and stability of Taiwan.  This resolution expresses clearly the grave concern of Congress concerning the ballistic missile deployment by the People’s Republic of China directed toward Taiwan which threatens the stability of the Taiwan Strait, and urges the President to move forward with the sale of new and upgraded F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.  These capabilities are important for Taiwan to maintain its ability to defend against the increasing military threat from the People’s Republic of China. 

Stood for justice for the Iranian Embassy Hostages and their families.  Congressman Forbes supported the Justice for American Diplomat Held Hostage in Tehran Act, H.R. 5796, which would establish a common fund, at no expense to the American taxpayer, to pay claims by Americans who, in 1979 were held hostage for 444 days in the American embassy in Tehran.  Until now, and based on previous agreements made at the time of the hostages’ release, these victims of terrorism have been barred from seeking compensation for the treatment they received while being held against their will for over a year.  This common fund would be supported by penalties charged to companies found to be in violation of U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran.