Extending Homebuyer Tax Credits for Troops Congressman Forbes supported the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, H.R. 3590. H.R. 3590 mirrors the Bring Assistance to Heroes (BAH) Act, introduced by Forbes, to extend the 2009 first-time homebuyer tax credit for one year to any service member that has served on extended duty overseas during the first 11 months of 2009. The legislation would also waive the recapture requirement for service members called to deploy after purchasing a home. This bill passed the House by a vote of 416-0.
	Opposing Excessive Government Spending Congressman Forbes voted against the final version of H.R. 2997, which funded agriculture and other programs at a level 12% higher than last year. The Congressional Budget Office announced last week that the federal budget shortfall for last year was the largest in history, at $1.4 trillion – three times the record set last year in 2008 of $459 billion.  The bill passed the House by a vote of 263-162.
	Calling for Appropriate Veterans Benefits Congressman Forbes opposed the exclusion of a one-year fix to the Disabled Veterans’ Tax, also known as Concurrent Receipt, in the annual defense policy bill. The House version of the annual defense policy bill included a well-deserved and long overdue one year fix to the disability retirement offset facing our nation’s disabled veterans. Congressman Forbes, who was a conferee on the final bill, did not sign or approve the final conference report that excluded the provision.

 

Opposed a defense bill driven by social policy and budget pressure rather than defense needs. Congressman Forbes voted against the National Defense Authorization Act because a controversial hate crimes provision was added to the bill, making it a tool for political opportunity, rather than a bill to lay out budget strategies and priorities for our military. Congressman Forbes was concerned with other issues in the defense bill, including the removal of concurrent receipt for veterans, and the refusal of the Administration to submit shipbuilding and aviation plans as required by law. Additionally, amendments Congressman Forbes supported to oppose dredging in Mayport and to allow localities to have a voice in the OLF decision were removed due to lack of support in the Senate.
This legislation passed by a vote of 281-146.

Applauded strong measures within the annual defense bill.  Congressman Forbes applauded the following provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act: a 3.4% pay raise for the troops, $5 million for road improvements outside Fort Lee; $2.7 million for a state wide emergency response exercise to be conducted by VMASC, and a $35 million dollar increase in Impact Aid funding which goes to school districts that are affected by the Growth of the military in the area.

Met with the Tri-Cities Hospitality Coalition to discuss the current lodging proposal at Fort Lee. Congressman Forbes and Senators Webb and Warner wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Army on their behalf.  The comment period for the project was extended 30-days, and the response from the Army to the letter from Virginia delegation is available here.

Spoke on the House floor about DoD’s refusal to produce an annual shipbuilding plan. The Secretary of Defense is required by law to submit the plan to Congress on an annual basis, yet he has failed to do so this year. Failure to submit the annual plan is unprecedented.   

Supported equal treatment under the law. Congressman Forbes wrote a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, urging him to remove the controversial hate crimes legislation from the annual defense policy bill that typically enjoys broad, bipartisan support.

Attended the Supreme Court arguments in Salazar v. Buono. The case involves a cross that has served as a WWI Veterans Memorial in the Mojave Desert since 1934, which lower federal courts have held is unconstitutional. This case will set important precedent for future Establishment Clause cases. Congressman Forbes is represented as amici in this case.

Applauded the unveiling of our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ in the Capitol Visitor Center. For over a year, Congressman Forbes and Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus have fought for the inclusion of historical references to America’s religious heritage in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Spoke on the House floor in opposition to hate crimes in defense bill. Congressman Forbes led a Motion to Instruct Conferees to reject a hate crimes amendment attached to the Defense Authorization bill and discussed the impact such an amendment would have on religious speech.
The Motion to Instruct was defeated by a vote of 178-234.  

Defended the Pledge of Allegiance. Congressman Forbes was represented as amicus curiae in a recent decision in a federal court holding that the words “One nation, under God” in The Pledge of Allegiance do not violate the Establishment Clause.

Called for a clear vote on government funding for abortions. Congressman Forbes joined 182 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter requesting that Members of the House be permitted to take an up or down vote on an amendment to prohibit government funding of abortion.

Prohibited releasing Guantanamo detainees into the U.S. Congressman Forbes introduced an amendment to prohibit the President from releasing Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States. The amendment was included in the annual defense bill conference report, which passed the House of Representatives last week. This measure would also require the President to provide a comprehensive detainee plan before transferring a GTMO detainee into the United States for the purposes of detention or prosecution.

Voted to ensure Guantanamo detainees are on the No Fly List. Congressman Forbes voted for a Motion to Instruct conferees, which would ensure that detainees are added to the No Fly List. Additionally, the measure prevents the release of any detainee photographs relating to detention and ensures the text of the Homeland Security spending bill has been available for at least 72 hours before being voted on.
The Motion to Instruct passed by a vote of 238-163.

Supported changes to provide more timely, predictable, and sufficient funding for our veterans. Congressman Forbes supported  H.R. 1016, which would provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with two years of funds in a spending cycle rather than one year of funding.
This bill passed by a vote of 419-1.

Supported legislation to allow employers to reward unionized workers, if they choose to do so. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2732 to permit unionized work forces to receive merit-base pay raises and performance bonuses. This bill would lift the pay cap on millions of hard-working Americans that work under collective bargaining agreements without affecting minimum pay floors negotiated in collective bargaining.

Called for increased sanctions on Iran. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1208, which calls for increased economic sanctions on Iran. Iran recently revealed a secret nuclear facility after Western intelligence services had learned of the plant.

Called for an end to violent attacks against Christians. Signed letters to Navin Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa State, India and President Zardari of Pakistan calling for an end to violent attacks and persecution against Christians living in those regions. Both letters were sent in direct response to attacks on religious minorities in Pakistan and in eastern Orissa in India.

Opposed unethical governance. Congressman Forbes voted to support a measure, H. Res. 805, requesting that Rep. Charlie Rangel step down from his position as chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means while under investigation for ethics violations stemming mostly from failure to report income.
The resolution failed to pass by a vote of 153-246.

Called for accountability within the United Nations. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 557, which calls for greater transparency and accountability in the United Nations, as well as conditioning U.S. contributions to the U.N. with U.N. reforms. 

Ensured federal funds are used efficiently. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 1053 to ensure funding for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay is being used as efficiently and effectively as possible. This legislation requires the Office of Management and Budget to determine how much federal money is being spent on cleanup efforts each year and whether those funds are helping to restore the Bay and producing the desired results.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 418-1.

Met with constituents about the increasing size of government. Congressman Forbes met with the Chester Patriots in Chesterfield County to discuss ways to halt the expansion of the federal government’s size and scope. They also discussed steps to reverse the explosion of national debt, and ways to reverse the assault on individual freedoms.

Met with the Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District Commander, Colonel Andrew Backus.  Congressman Forbes and Col Backus discussed the Appomattox River, the Chowan River Basin, and the ongoing bridge projects across the Fourth Congressional District.

Supported funding for energy and water projects. Congressman Forbes voted for the Conference Report on H.R. 3183, which funds the Department of Energy, urban and rural water projects, Army Corps of Engineer projects, and Department of Defense nuclear weapons and storage. The $34 billion cost is a 1% increase from last year’s funding level.  Congressman Forbes secured funding for the following projects:

- $100,000 for Deep Creek Bridge in Chesapeake. This project will begin the process of replacing the existing 2-lane Deep Creek AIW Bridge with a 5-lane, dual bascule bridge, thus providing a new structurally sound bridge and reducing traffic congestion along the corridor. AIW Deep Creek Bridge was built in 1934 and is functionally obsolete.

- $130,000 for Chowan River Basin Study. This project will investigate federal flood control projects in the Chowan River Basin. In many locations within the basin, six of the top 10 historical high water marks have occurred from 1998 forward, including the flood of record from Hurricane Floyd in 1999, October 2006 cold core upper level low, and Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Damages from these storm events have ranged from $10M to over $100M. Congressman Forbes first secured funding for this important study last year. 

- $523,000 for Appomattox River. This project will fund the maintenance dredge of the Appomattox River. The dredging of the Appomattox River will be of benefit to the region by: (1) restoring the Appomattox River to the free-flowing, fully navigable river that it was until the late 1970's; (2) reconnecting the City of Hopewell to the navigable portions of the Appomattox River; (3) serving as a catalyst for the commercial and residential revitalization; (4) enhancing local and regional tourism and recreational opportunities; and (5) improving the environmental condition of the Appomattox River.

This bill passed the House by a vote of 308-114.

 

 

Supported high speed passenger rail in Virginia.  Congressman Forbes joined the Virginia congressional delegation in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to support the Commonwealth’s applications for a high speed rail program in Virginia from Washington, D.C. via Richmond, VA to Petersburg, VA. 

Applauded a decision to connect Chesterfield County Airport to the nation-wide weather reporting system.  Congressman Forbes petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on March 5, 2009 to connect Chesterfield County Airport to the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), which provides weather condition reporting that is critical to terminal aviation operations. The FAA has made a preliminary decision to make the AWOS connection. Congressman Forbes also supports the AWOS connection at Hampton Road Executive Airport.

Applauded federal funding for Virginia State University math and science study. Congressman Forbes announced that Virginia State University (VSU) has been awarded a grant through the National Science Foundation in the amount of $989,747. The award will be used to fund a three year study by VSU and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) aimed at improving test scores for minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.  The study will assess the impact of alternative learning methods on 240 underrepresented sixth and ninth graders residing in central Virginia school districts.

Supported adult education and literacy. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res 707, which designates the week of September 13 as National Adult Education & Literacy Week. Over 90 million American adults lack basic literacy, numeracy, and English language skills. This resolution encourages support for adult education and family literacy programs.
The resolution passed the House by a vote of 412-0.  

Introduced legislation to ensure retired law enforcement officers can carry firearms.  Congressman Forbes introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act, H.R. 3752, which permits qualified, retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon in other jurisdictions in order to increase public safety.  The bill also covers retired Amtrak officers, executive branch officers, and Federal Reserve officers.

Voted to promote travel tourism in the United States.  Congressman Forbes supported the Travel Promotion Act, S. 1023, which establishes a nonprofit corporation to promote tourism and international travel to the United States.  International travelers provide a boost to American businesses, spending on average $4,500 per person per visit to the U.S.  Promotional efforts are expected to attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually.  The Travel Promotion Act will also help alleviate much of the confusion that now exists regarding new U.S. security procedures. 
This bill passed the House by a vote of 358 – 66.

Supported 9/11 Flight 93 memorial. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res 795, honoring the Shanksville, Pennsylvania community and United Flight 93 Ambassadors in their efforts to complete the 9/11 Flight 93 National Memorial. 
This bill passed the House by a vote of 426-0.

Supported Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 1771 to provide funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Chesapeake Bay Office. Congress established the authority for NOAA's participation in the restoration activities for the Chesapeake Bay in 1984. Since then, NOAA has been an important partner of Federal agencies and non-government entities in efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. 
This bill passed the House by a vote of 338-78.