Supported a swift resolution for the payroll tax cut extension.  Congressman Forbes supported a motion to instruct conferees on H.R.3630, the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act, to file a conference report no later than February 17^th.  Conferees from both parties in the House and Senate were appointed to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the payroll tax cut bill for the remainder of the year.  This legislation extended the payroll tax, unemployment insurance, and the Medicare doc fix for a period of two months.  
This motion passed the House by a vote of 397-16.

Celebrated the accomplishments of Catholic education.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored a resolution, H. Res. 61, in honor of Catholic Schools week.  Catholic schools educate a diverse group of students with nearly 30 percent of students coming from minority groups; more than 15 percent are non-Catholics.  These schools also offer students individual attention in the classroom not often available in other schools, especially in the less affluent urban school districts that many Catholic schools serve.  This resolution recognizes and supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week (January 29 – February 5, 2012) and this year’s theme: “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." Co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this event highlights the contributions Catholic school teachers, administrators, and parents make to three priorities of Catholic education: faith, rigorous academics, and a commitment to community service.

Protected U.S. sovereignty and Second Amendment rights from U.N. interference.  Congressman Forbes is cosponsoring legislation to cut off all funding to the United Nations if the U.S. agrees to any treaty that would “restrict, attempt to restrict, or otherwise adversely infringe on the rights of individuals in the United States to possess a firearm or ammunition, including by imposing burdens on international commerce, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected rights of citizens of the United States.” The Second Amendment Protection Act, H.R. 3594, comes in direct response to the United Nations' plans to move forward with the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The ATT is currently being drafted by the UN to regulate the trading of conventional firearms like those used by collectors and sportsmen.  The goal of the treaty is to put forth internationally recognized rules governing the trade of guns and ammunition, which, it is argued, contribute to war, crime, and terrorism. Notably, the United States is the world's largest exporter with a $55 billion-a-year trade in conventional firearms. 

Affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 271, expressing support for the State of Israel’s right to defend its sovereignty and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.  In response to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s November report that Iran was actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, Congressman Forbes, along with 63 other Members of the House of Representatives, have cosponsored this resolution to ensure our nation’s closest ally in the Middle East knows that it has the support of the United States as it takes action to protect Israeli sovereignty and the Israeli people. 

Asked the GAO to examine gaps in government knowledge of China.  Congressman Forbes joined Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that two studies be undertaken to address deficiencies in the federal government’s awareness regarding the People’s Republic of China.  The first study requested is an analysis of the degree to which China has acted upon its promises made during the Strategic and Economic Dialogue it has conducted with the U.S.  Secondly, Congressman Forbes’ letter requested that the GAO conduct a study of the Department of Defense’s early warning systems to ensure that the U.S. would have sufficient timely warning prior to any military action taken by China.  Both of these areas were highlighted by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission as key gaps in U.S. government awareness of U.S.-China relations and GAO studies were recommended in the Commission’s 2011 Annual Report to Congress.  A copy of the request is available here.

Urged the Administration to fully implement sanctions against Iran’s Central Bank.  Congressman Forbes joined 88 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a bipartisan letter to the Administration urging that new sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran that were included in the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2012 be fully implemented.  Amidst a more belligerent Iran who has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz and has continued to pursue a nuclear weapon, Congressman Forbes has expressed his hope that bipartisan sanctions aimed at Iran’s financial center will be implemented quickly and in their entirety.  This bipartisan letter was signed by 89 Members.  A copy of the letter is available here.

Protected cyber networks through public/private cooperation.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011, H.R. 3523.  This bill ensures that private cyber-security companies that have been certified by the Director of National Intelligence and have received the sufficient security clearances can share cyber threat information with the federal intelligence community.  By allowing for a more efficient and secure system in which the Intelligence Community can interact with private industry, our government will be better equipped to respond to the fast-changing nature of cyber threats.  The bill also places strict limitations on what type of information may be shared between private companies and the federal government, and requires the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board to annually review this program and report back to Congress with its recommendations for addressing any civil liberty concerns that may arise. 

Increased opportunity for women to make more informed decisions prior to having an abortion. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act, H.R. 3805, which requires that an abortion provider perform an ultrasound on a pregnant woman, display the images so the woman may view them, and provide an explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting prior to performing an abortion.  Nothing in the bill prohibits the woman from turning her eyes from the image, and the bill provides an exception to the requirement when the life of the mother is endangered. This bill will ensure that women are armed with all the facts necessary to make an informed decision regarding their unborn child.

Added historic D-Day prayer to the WWII Memorial. Congressman Forbes voted for the World War II Memorial Prayer Act, H.R. 2070, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to install President. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “D-Day Prayer” at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.  President Roosevelt delivered the prayer to the nation on June 6, 1944, the day that American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France.  The bill prohibits the use of Federal funds to pay for the inscription, but provides for the Secretary to accept private contributions. 
The bill passed the House by a vote of 386-26.

Defended the inclusion of religious symbols on memorials honoring the U.S. Armed Forces. Congressman Forbes supported the War Memorial Protection Act, H.R. 290, which authorizes the inclusion of religious symbols in military monuments. The bill was introduced after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declared unconstitutional a cross that stands at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego, California. It would ensure that America’s war memorials are not stripped of our nation’s religious heritage.
The bill passed the House by a voice vote.