Congressman Randy Forbes | Washington Update
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Week of November 26-30

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Demanded answers regarding the attacks on our diplomatic missions in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. 

Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 6511, a bill to require investigations into, and a report on, the September 2012, attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Northern Africa.  These attacks took the lives of four Americans including our nation’s ambassador to Libya, Ambassador Christopher Stevens.  Our Ambassador and Foreign Service Officers deploy to some of the most dangerous areas in the world to help secure American interests. We must follow their commitment to our national security with a steadfast commitment to their personal security.  This commitment requires full and accurate information be provided to Congress so that a complete picture of the attack, our security needs, and future challenges to security and stability in the region can be compiled. 

 

Opposed efforts by the UN to undermine the 2nd Amendment rights of Americans

Congressman Forbes became an original cosponsor of H.Res.814, expressing the sense of Congress that the President should not sign the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, that the U.S. Senate should not ratify that treaty and that no federal funds should be appropriated to implement the Treaty or to conduct activities relevant to it.  Congressman Forbes has consistently opposed efforts by the United Nations and other foreign interests to undermine the rights of the American people and remains a staunch defender of our nation’s 2nd Amendment rights. 

Supported Homeless and Needy Veterans

Congressman Forbes supported the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, H.R.6328, which directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security to transfer unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans’ organizations and other local charitable organizations.  This bill passed by voice vote.

Defense

Attended a Classified Briefing on the Benghazi Terrorist Attack.  On November 29th, Congressman Forbes attended a House Armed Services Committee members-only classified briefing on the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya. The Members heard from Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Michael A. Sheehan, the Vice Director, Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, and David Cattler of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Discussed the Future of the Army with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno. On November 28th, Congressman Forbes met with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno to discuss issues related to the U.S. Army. Specifically, Congressman Forbes and General Odierno discussed Army force structure, the impact of pending defense cuts, and the Army's role in Asia.
Homeland Security

Required Accountability at the Department of Homeland Security.  Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 5913, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Accountability Act.  This legislation requires a new comprehensive assessment of the management structure and capabilities related to the Homeland Security Department.  Recommendations on how to improve efficiency and effectiveness at the Department will also be required.  Investigations by the Government Accountability Office have found that shortcomings in the management of DHS’s acquisitions program have wasted taxpayer money.  This bill passed by voice vote.

Supported local medical preparedness programs.  Congressman Forbes supported the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, H.R. 5997, to ensure that local communities can use federal Homeland Security grant funds to purchase emergency medical preparedness capabilities.  This means that communities could be used to build stockpiles of important medications, first aid kits, and other resources for first responders and victims of a chemical or biological emergency or attack.  This bill passed by a vote of 397-1.
Foreign Affairs

Supported classifying Iran’s Qods Force as a foreign terrorist organization.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 4228, directing the Secretary of State to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force as a foreign terrorist organization, and demands that Iran be held responsible for its actions. The Qods Force has been linked to some of the deadliest terrorist attacks of the past three decades, including the bombings of U.S. diplomatic installations in Beirut in 1983 and 1984.  Since then the Qods Force has continued to support the proliferation of weapons and acts of terrorism around the world. 

Healthcare

Called for new system to procure durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics supplies.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Medicare DMEPOS Market Pricing Program Act, H.R.6490, to replace the current Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program with a market pricing program. The Market Pricing Program (MPP) would utilize an auction system to establish market-based reimbursement rates. MPP would still focus on competition, while maintaining critical access to quality equipment and services.

Supported the expansion of the religious conscience exemption in the individual mandate portion of the President’s health care law.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the bipartisan Equitable Access to Care and Health (EACH) Act, H.R.6597, which expands the religious conscience exemption in the individual mandate portion of the President’s health care law.  Currently, the exemption does not cover individuals who practice a spiritual approach to health care.  As a result, they will be required to purchase health insurance without having the limited services they utilize provided along with traditional care.  Both Medicare and TRICARE include benefits for religious non-medical health care institutions; yet the President’s health care law failed to provide the same inclusive and respectful protections.  The EACH Act would underscore the American values of tolerance and religious diversity.
Family Values

Encouraged Americans to provide permanent and loving families for children in foster care. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the bipartisan National Adoption Day Resolution, H.Res.809, which recognizes that every child in the foster care system deserves a permanent and loving family.  The measure supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by encouraging Americans to consider adopting children in foster care. National Adoption Day, November 17, 2012, is a collective national effort to find permanent, loving families for children in the foster care system.
Immigration

Supported new green card program for students in STEM fields.  Congressman Forbes supported the STEM Jobs Act, H.R.6429, to reallocates up to 55,000 green cards a year to new green card programs for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees.  These green cards are first made available to foreign graduates with doctorates and any remaining green cards are then made available for foreign graduates with master’s degrees.  Foreign graduates of U.S. universities in STEM fields are in great demand by American employers; however, many of them end up on years-long green card waiting lists.  And as a result, many of them give up and go to work for one of our global competitors.  This bill passed by a vote of 245-139.

Financial Services

Expressed support for community and regional banks. Congressman Forbes joined his colleagues in the Virginia delegation in sending a letter to federal regulators, expressing concern that recently proposed Basel III capital requirements would have a negative impact on community and regional banks in the Commonwealth, directly affecting their ability to provide credit to businesses within their communities. The letter explained that the “one size fits all” approach of the proposed capital standards would disproportionately affect these banks, potentially harming communities in the process.

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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