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Above all, this we’ll defend

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Always courageous. Always faithful. Always ready. Above all. This we’ll defend.

These mottos represent each of the five service branches of our military. They are at the core of what our men and women in uniform stand for as they serve our nation each day. Behind every one of these mottos is a face – a father, a sister, a neighbor, a son – who lives these calls to action in times of physical hardship, camaraderie, sacrifice, surrender, peace, bravery, loyalty, and pain. Behind each of those mottos, triumphs have been met. Hope has been extended. The ultimate sacrifice has been paid.

For over a century, our nation has taken time out of the year to mark special tribute to the men and women who have bravely given their lives in service of our nation. Today we know that day as Memorial Day, which specifically honors those who died in military service. On this day, we express our deep appreciation to those who gave everything for our freedoms, and unite in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones.

It is our privilege to honor these heroes and to share the unique legacies each has left throughout chapters in our nation’s history. For many Americans, there is no question about how they will honor our military heroes on Memorial Day: they will remember a friend, visit a loved one’s gravesite, or pull out old photo albums of a father or daughter. Still, many more Americans may be unsure of how to observe the true meaning of Memorial Day. As you are making Memorial Day plans, here are 10 ideas you and your family can consider as a way of commemorating Memorial Day this year:

Place an American flag on the grave of a veteran
See a listing of veteran’s cemeteries in Virginia at http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/listcem.asp

Thank a veteran or a military family

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time
More information is available on the Dept of Veterans Affairs website http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/

Read stories about men and women who gave their all for their country
Stories of WWII heroes are available at http://mymemorialday.org/remember/

Teach your children about the importance of Memorial Day
Find activities and resources at http://www.va.gov/kids/

Display a poppy flower as a tribute to those who have given their lives
Read the history of the poppy flower and Memorial Day at http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flower.pdf

Tour the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall virtually
Visit “View the Wall” at http://www.viewthewall.com/

Display an American flag
See guidelines for displaying the American flag at http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf

Have a moment of prayer and remembrance during your family barbecue

Attend a local Memorial Day event
A list of Memorial Day events in Virginia is available at http://www.virginia.org/memorialday/

This Memorial Day, many of us will gather and enjoy the company of family and good friends. As we do so, taps will ring out in ceremonies across the country. As the bugle player slowly lowers his horn, he will salute and a quiet hush will fall. As it does, may we be inspired by our heroes’ legacies. May we remember in that moment those who were always courageous, always faithful, always ready, and – above all – answered the call of our nation.

Forbes: Obama Shipbuilding Promise Rings Hollow

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech at the U.S. Naval Academy:

“Budgets speak far louder than words. President Obama’s sudden embrace of a strong Navy, after so recently deriding an increase in shipbuilding as akin to “horses and bayonets”, will amount to little more than another broken promise given the current $4 billion shortfall in the shipbuilding account. Even assuming a realistic budget, the current shipbuilding plan does not reach the Navy’s minimum requirement of 306 ships until 2036, when the President will be 75 years old. Unless the Administration is willing to reverse its previous disinterest and actually resource a world-class Navy, the decline of our Fleet and its ability to protect American interests will continue apace.”

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Question of the week: Do you believe the scope of the subpoenas strikes the proper balance between the freedom of the press and the need to protect the American people?

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On May 13, 2013, Gary Pruitt, President and CEO of the Associated Press, sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, upon learning that the Department of Justice had obtained telephone records for over twenty phone lines of AP journalists – spanning a two-month timeframe – related to leaks of national security information.

The Code of Federal Regulations requires that “all reasonable alternative investigative steps should be taken before considering issuing a subpoena for telephone toll records of any member of the news media.” Additionally, the Code requires that the Justice Department negotiate in advance of a subpoena with members of the media, unless that negotiation would undermine the integrity of the investigation.

On May 14^th, Deputy Attorney General James Cole replied to Mr. Pruitt’s letter saying, “the subpoenas were limited in both time and scope,” and the records were “closely held and reviewed solely for the purposes of this ongoing criminal investigation.”

As Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, “The burden is always on the government when they go after private information – especially information regarding the press or its confidential sources.”

Question of the week:  Do you believe the scope of the subpoenas strikes the proper balance between the freedom of the press and the need to protect the American people?

( ) Yes.
( ) No.
( ) I don’t know.
( ) Other (leave your comments below).

Take the instaPoll here.

Find the results of last week’s instaPoll here.

Congressman Randy Forbes Announces June Office Hours

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Randy Forbes announced today that a district field representative from his office will hold open office hours on Thursday, June 6, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., in the Main Conference Room of the Smithfield Public Library, 255 James Street.

Diana Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator, will be available to provide assistance with a variety of constituent services and discuss issues facing the region.

While an appointment is not needed, visits will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Constituents who need further information or special accommodations may contact Congressman Forbes' District Office in Chesapeake (757) 382-0080

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Forbes: Seapower Subcommittee Releases Mark Requiring Realistic Shipbuilding Plan, Investment in New Technologies

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, released today the legislative language of the Seapower Subcommittee’s mark of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Chairman Forbes and Ranking Member Mike McIntyre (NC) led the Seapower Subcommittee in producing a mark which designates essential funding and sets priorities for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

“To those predicting the decline of American power, this mark signals that we do not intend to meekly accept a world where U.S. interests can be ignored with impunity by our adversaries. Having recently received a 30 Year Shipbuilding Plan from the Navy with no basis in reality, our mark requires a detailed roadmap for how the service will reach its shipbuilding goals under likely budget scenarios,” Chairman Forbes said. “We have laid the groundwork to ask difficult questions of the Navy about the cost overruns on the Ford-class aircraft carrier, while also ensuring the Navy has an additional Virginia-class attack submarine each year. And we have made investments in technologies like the UCLASS carrier-launched unmanned vehicle, which will ensure the viability of the Carrier Air Wing for decades to come.”

Highlights of the Seapower Subcommittee mark include:

Directing the Navy to report on projected Fleet size under the current budget. The Seapower mark requires the Navy to report to Congress on the likely size of the Navy’s Fleet given the current shipbuilding budget. “The Navy’s 30 year shipbuilding plan is a “plan” in name only,” Chairman Forbes noted. “Under the current shipbuilding budget, the Fleet will continue to shrink to a level completely antithetical to U.S. national security interests.”
Maintaining funding for the Ford-class aircraft carrier. The Subcommittee, while expressing concern with the program’s continued cost growth, continues funding for the next-generation aircraft carrier that will anchor the Fleet for decades to come.
Preserving Navy cruisers and amphibious ships. The Full Committee mark is expected to support the modernization of seven cruisers and two landing dock landing ships (LSDs) that were proposed for early retirement well ahead of their useful service life. Keeping these assets in the Fleet enhances the Navy’s ability to undertake critical missions like ballistic-missile defense (BMD) and amphibious power projection.
Supporting the Navy’s continued procurement of Virginia-class submarines, Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The Full Committee mark is expected to support the continued procurement of Virginia-class SSNs at a rate of two-per-year while procuring an additional DDG-51 destroyer and four LCSs.
Expanding investments in game-changing technologies. The mark encourages further investment in the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System (UCLASS) that will be critical to maintaining the Carrier Air Wing’s versatility in the years ahead.
Continuing investment in critical Projection Forces capabilities for aerial refueling and long-range strike. The Full Committee mark is expected to continue to support the Air Force’s Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B) program and the KC-46A aerial refueling tanker.
Ensures full funding of Navy ship maintenance. The Full Committee mark is expected to provide for full funding of vital ship repair and maintenance activities.

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GSA shorts small business by over $3 million

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I thought you might be interested in a recent article I read in The Washington Post, which detailed a disturbing trend: The GSA has failed to fully pay 1,334 federal contractors, shorting small businesses by over $3 million. Today’s economic environment is uncertain enough, but when you add in federal agencies that cannot be trusted to fulfill their half of the bargain, small businesses become discouraged from competing and hesitant to invest, stunting our entire country’s economic growth.

As the backbone of the American economy, entrepreneurs and small businesses are crucial contributors to our nation’s economic success. I will continue to work to promote policies that create a healthy economic environment which encourages small businesses to do what they do best: grow, innovate, creat jobs, and lead our country forward.

Time to Admit China is a Military Competitor

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I wanted to share with you an article I wrote that was published by National Review, regarding China as a military competitor. We must acknowledge China’s military ambitions and their potential consequences for U.S. interests in the region. By assessing the intentions of the Chinese, the United States will be better prepared to evaluate our interests in Asia and act accordingly.

As Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus, I want to hear your thoughts on how the United States should address China’s military modernization.

Time to Admit China Is a Military Competitor

By J. Randy Forbes

May 17, 2013 1:56 PM

The early-May release by the Defense Department of its annual report to Congress on China’s military developments is a prime opportunity to reevaluate how the United States frames the future of its security relationship with Beijing. For too long, politicians and pundits of both parties have refused to clearly state the obvious: The U.S. and China are engaged in a long-term peacetime competition with economic, diplomatic and, yes, military components. The sooner Washington begins speaking honestly about our relationship with China, the sooner we’ll have policies that adequately address the challenges facing our two countries.

As China’s economic development continues and its regional aspirations expand, its military modernization has continued apace. This reality, and the necessity of the United States’ remaining a force in Asia-Pacific for the sake of regional stability, makes many in Washington uncomfortable. Indeed, the pressure to refrain from speaking openly about the issue has led some U.S. officials to begin referring to China as a national “Voldermort.”

It’s immensely counterproductive to avoid speaking openly and truthfully about the Sino-American rivalry and its future trajectory. By failing to acknowledge China’s military ambitions and their potential consequences for U.S. interests in the region, American policymakers are choosing timidity when resolute leadership is required.

The reality is this: Over the past decade, China has been developing military capabilities designed to deny the United States access to the waters and airspace of the western Pacific. Through the acquisition of anti-ship ballistic missiles designed to target American aircraft carriers, advanced aircraft capable of hitting U.S. and allied bases around the region, and large numbers of modern submarines, Beijing has clearly signaled its intention to subvert the balance of power that has anchored peace in Asia for six decades, and to do so in ways inimical to American interests.

This is not simply the case of a rising power seeking a military befitting its economic might; rather, China has specifically geared its military development to areas of perceived American weakness with the objective of restricting U.S. action in East Asia.

Speaking clearly about Beijing’s actions and intentions is not a fatalistic acceptance that Sino-American conflict is inevitable, or even likely. Instead, by realistically appraising Chinese intentions, the United States will be better prepared to assess our interests in Asia and act accordingly.

With 80 percent of global trade traveling by sea, a substantial amount of that through the waters of East Asia, allowing the United States to be pushed out of the region is simply unacceptable. American military power, particularly our navy, has ensured the peaceful, liberal order that currently predominates in East Asia. As our fleet has slowly atrophied from the nearly 600 ships of the Reagan era to 283 today, the ability of the United States to uphold its obligations and interests around the world has become sorely tested. Even as the Chinese are developing sophisticated systems to target our perceived vulnerabilities, the U.S. is expected to experience major shortfalls in areas from attack submarines and surface combatants to Air Force long-range bombers. Understanding, and speaking clearly about, our interests in Asia and the challenges we face is critical to fixing the military gaps we have incurred over the last decade.

The Pentagon’s latest report on Chinese military modernization is an excellent opportunity for leaders in both parties to begin the process of speaking honestly about the China challenge. Our future relations with China are not preordained. Sound policy based on American strength and rooted in longstanding American interests is achievable only through recognition that China is a long-term competitor of the United States across a range of areas, including the military. The sooner we are comfortable admitting this fact, the better our chances of marshaling the resources to maintain a free and prosperous Asia.

Question of the week: Do you believe the Prevent IRS Overreach Act is a necessary step in ensuring protection for the American people?

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Last Friday, Lois Lerner, Director of the Exempt Organizations Division at the IRS, apologized for the Agency requiring certain conservative groups to submit excessive paperwork regarding their 501(c)(4) tax exempt status.

Her apology was issued just days before the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) was scheduled to release its oversight report of IRS activities. This report not only confirmed that the IRS was in fact targeting conservative organizations, but that this has been going on since 2010.

Groups with the word “patriot” in their names, and those with the mission of “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” have been subjected to enhanced scrutiny in their applications for tax exempt status. The TIGTA report indicated that 160 applications were open from 206 to 1,138 days, some more than three years and crossing two election cycles.

The Department of Justice launched an investigation in conjunction with the FBI, and the House Ways and Means Committee is holding a hearing today to further investigate this matter and bring to light why these groups were targeted.

While these investigations are pending, and Americans are calling into question the integrity of what should be a non-partisan, non-political government agency, I have introduced the Prevent IRS Overreach Act, H.R.1993, to prohibit the IRS from hiring any personnel for the purpose of implementing the healthcare law. Read more about this bill here.

Question of the week: Do you believe the Prevent IRS Overreach Act is a necessary step in ensuring protection for the American people?

( ) Yes.
( ) No.
( ) I don’t know.
( ) Other (leave your comments below).

Take the instaPoll here.

Find the results of last week’s instaPoll here.

The Unaffordable Care Act

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I wanted to share a recent article from AEIdeas, the American Enterprise Institute blog, further highlighting the destructive nature of the health care law. The article notes that, according to a recent Gallup poll, 48% of small business owners believe that the law will be bad for their business.

The increased taxes and regulations are bad enough, but when you add in the uncertainty surrounding implementation of the health care law, businesses are not expanding. Even worse, they are closing their doors.

Access to health care should not come at an unacceptable price to our small business community. I will continue to support the repeal and defunding of this law, and promote policies that encourage, not stifle, economic growth.

Forbes Introduces Bill to Stop IRS from Using Obamacare Tax as Next Political Bludgeon

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he is introducing legislation that would prohibit a massive expansion of the Internal Revenue Service at a time when many Americans are calling into question the integrity of what should be a non-partisan, non-political government agency. The Prevent IRS Overreach Act would prohibit the IRS from hiring any personnel for the purpose of implementing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill introduction comes on the heels of confirmation that the IRS has purposely targeted applicants for tax-exempt status for having “Tea Party” or “Patriot” in their names — demanding confidential donor lists and delaying applications in many cases for years.

"Americans have witnessed egregious political bullying at the hands of IRS agents -- bullying that senior leadership of the IRS have been aware of for two years. Under current law, the authority to implement the President's healthcare tax rests with the very people who used their government positions to act as political operatives working to influence the electoral process. I'm introducing legislation today to prevent the IRS from being handed their newest bludgeon to target businesses and individuals that do not come in line with their political philosophy or policy positions. The IRS would be better to police its own than to police the millions of Americans who believe this healthcare law to be bad for their families and bad for our businesses,” Forbes said.

The scandal-plagued agency has publicly admitted that it wrongfully subjected tax-exempt groups with conservative leaning ideologies to intense and unnecessary scrutiny, targeting groups in some cases simply for purposes such as "Educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights." The IRS is now the subject of a federal criminal investigation to determine whether agents knowingly and willfully violated the law by using their official positions to tamper with election processes. Congressman Forbes’ “Prevent IRS Overreach Act” is a necessary step towards reining in an overtly intrusive government which has once again failed to hold itself accountable.

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