Congressman Randy Forbes | Washington Update
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Week of March 7 - 11, 2011 Twitter Facebook YouTube Digg RSS
Opposing the Use of Foreign Law in U.S. Court


Congressman Forbes cosponsored a bill, H.R.973, to prevent the misuse of foreign law in United States federal courts.  The bill plainly states, “In any court created by or under Article III of the Constitution of the United States, no justice, judge, or other judicial official shall decide any issue in a case before that court in whole or in part on the authority of foreign law, except to the extent the Constitution or an Act of Congress requires the consideration of that foreign law.”
Cancelling Underutilized and Overfunded Programs


Congressman Forbes voted to support H.R.830, which would terminate the FHA Refinance Program and restrict the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from newly insuring any mortgage under the program.  The legislation would also direct the HUD Secretary to conduct a study to determine the extent of use of the FHA Refinance Program by members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, and Gold Star recipients.  The program was funded with $8 billion in TARP funds.  $50 million of this $8 billion has been disbursed as of February 3, 2011.  Only 44 loans have been refinanced under this program as of mid-February and only 245 applicants have been submitted.
This bill passed by a vote of 256 – 171.
Addressing America’s Terrorist Prosecution and Detention Policies

Congressman Forbes and 24 other members of the House Armed Services Committee introduced legislation, H.R.968, to address a number of unanswered questions regarding America’s prosecution and detention of terrorists.  The legislation would make it tougher for detainees to return to the battlefield or share information with other terrorists, and would permanently block funding for the creation or renovation of any facility in the continental United States to house detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay.
Judiciary

Supported reduction in taxes on wireless services.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Wireless Tax Fairness Act (H.R.1002), which would impose a five-year freeze on new taxes that are placed only on wireless services.  State and local taxes are driving up the cost of wireless services and on average, customers pay 16.3% in taxes and fees.

Opposed frivolous lawsuits.  Congressman Forbes attended the Constitution Subcommittee hearing on the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (H.R.966).  The Act would restore mandatory sanctions for filing frivolous lawsuits in violation of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Immigration

Prevented illegal immigrants from working within the legislative branch.  Congressman Forbes is cosponsoring the Secure the Capitol Act, H.R.280, to ensure that illegal immigrants are not permitted to work within the Legislative Branch.  Currently, all Executive Branch government contractors are required to participate in E-Verify in order to retain their current contracts and to compete for any further contracts. However, Legislative Branch contractors, included those working throughout the Capitol building, are not under the same requirement. The Secure the Capitol Act would require all companies competing for, or currently holding, a government contract for work within the Capitol Complex to participate in E-Verify, the instantaneous, Internet-based employment verification system administered by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

Defense

Asked the Department of Defense: Are we Ready?  Congressman Forbes held a hearing in the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee to explore the state of our military readiness and the competition between our nation’s defense priorities and increasingly limited resources.  Congressman Forbes set aside the subcommittee’s standard operating procedures in this hearing so that Members of Congress and DoD officials were able to set aside talking points and prepared remarks in exchange for candor and open dialogue.

Discussed Readiness posture of the Air Force.  Congressman Forbes met with General Breedlove, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to discuss current readiness issues impacting the Air Force.  They discussed the impacts of the current continuing resolution, recent military developments by the Chinese, force structure in the Pacific and how the Department of Defense efficiency initiatives will impact Air Force maintenance operations in the coming years.
Health Care

Providing additional opportunities for veterinary health professionals. Congressman Forbes supported the Veterinary Public Health Workforce and Education Act (H.R.525). In recent years, diseases like Avian Flu and the H1N1 Flu, have had a significant impact on public health, and veterinarians have played a vital role in protecting the public from these diseases. H.R. 525 amends the Public Health Service Act to include veterinary public health professions as eligible for certain public health workforce provisions to help meet the rising need for more doctors trained to identify, diagnose, control, and monitor diseases transmitted from animals to humans.
This bill passed by a vote of 280-138.
Government Spending

Terminated unused federal programs. Congressman Forbes supported the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act (H.R. 836). This bill repeals the unused and underfunded Emergency Mortgage Relief Program that was initially authorized in 1975 and never funded until 2010.  This bill rescinds any of the $1 billion in funds appropriated that have not been used.  It also requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development conduct a study to determine the extent of usage of the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and the impact on covered homeowners.
This bill passed by a vote of 242 – 177.
Second Amendment Rights

Investigated illegal ATF activities. Congressman Forbes joined Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith in sending a letter to Attorney General Holder regarding recent allegations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was involved in the flow of firearms into Mexico in a program called “Project Gunwalker.”  According to media reports, the Phoenix-based program intentionally allowed straw buyers for criminal organizations to purchase thousands of guns so that ATF could track them across the border.  The letter requests that the Department’s Inspector General investigate these allegations.
Homeland Security

Extended the definition of emergency response provider. Congressman Forbes supported the Dental Emergency Responder Act (H.R.570). The bill will clarify that dentists may be considered voluntary disaster response public health workers and that states, at their option, could incorporate dentists and dental facilities into their planning.  The legislation would also provide for the inclusion of dental personnel and facilities in the National Health Security Strategy in an effort to encourage stronger collaborations between the dental community and Department of Health and Human Services in developing the nation’s medical surgery capacity.
This bill passed by a vote of 401-12.
Family Values

Addressed human trafficking in the U.S. Members of Congressman Forbes’ staff met with representatives from Freedom Network to discuss human trafficking in the U.S. and legislative ways to address the situation.
Education

Met with James Madison University President Rose.  Congressman Forbes met with James Madison University President Linwood Rose and other university officials to discuss the university's work in the area of contingency planning for war-torn nations around the world.
About Washington Update
Washington Update serves as a resource to the constituents of the Fourth Congressional District of Virginia on the work of Congressman Forbes. It is published weekly while Congress is in session. Hyperlinks to bill information are provided if the information disseminated by the House of Representatives is available at the time of distribution.

As always, Congressman Forbes welcomes your comments. To share your thoughts on legislation, votes or issues, please visit http://randyforbes.house.gov to send an e-mail or call any of Congressman Forbes' three district offices.

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