Kept the government functioning. Congressman Forbes supported H.J.Res.48 to extend funding for the federal government an additional three weeks through April 8th, 2011. The legislation reduces funding for designated federal programs by $3.5 billion and rescinds $2.6 billion in earmarks. In total, the bill cuts government spending by $6 billion dollars in proportion with spending reductions designated by H.R.1, a bill that reduced appropriations for the remainder of FY2011 by $61 billion. To read Congressman Forbes’ statement on the vote, click here.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 271-158.

Rescinded government funding for National Public Radio (NPR). In light of recent allegations of political bias against NPR, Congressman Forbes voted in favor of H.R.1076 to prohibit direct federal funding for NPR and prevent local radio stations from using federal funds to pay NPR dues.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 228-192.

Encouraged national unity with English language. Congressman Forbes supported legislation, H.R.997, to foster national unity through the use of our common English language at all official ceremonies, including naturalization ceremonies. The bill also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principle that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States.

Kept criminal aliens out of U.S. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the SAFE for America Act, H.R.704, to reform the visa lottery system, which is used by the State Department to award visas to foreign nationals through a random lottery. Most visas are issued to foreign nationals that have existing relationships with lawful U.S. residents or employers. However, the visa lottery awards permanent resident visas based on pure luck, which leaves open the door to those who want to enter the United States to harm citizens. The State Department’s Inspector General has testified that the program “contains significant risks to national security from hostile intelligence officers, criminals, and terrorists attempting to use the program for entry into the United States as permanent residents.”

Supported making same-sex marriage a state issue. Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Marriage Protection Act, H.R.875, which makes same-sex marriage an issue to be decided by each state individually. The bill does this by denying federal courts the jurisdiction to hear cases regarding same-sex marriage. The bill also denies the Supreme Court of the United States appellate jurisdiction to review such cases.

Requested that the Justice Department defend the Defense of Marriage Act. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.Con.Res.25, a resolution calling on the Obama Administration to reverse its decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court. On February 23, 2011, President Obama ordered the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act, unilaterally deciding that the law barring the government from recognizing same-sex unions was unconstitutional.

Worked for efficient use of government resources. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R.690 to transfer an aging building currently used by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the National Gallery of Art, which can then renovate the building using private funds without taxpayer assistance. The FTC has outgrown the space and can move to a more cost-efficient building to ensure the wise stewardship of tax dollars.