Demanding Bill Text Availability for Members and the Public.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 835, which would require Congressional committees to post the text of adopted bills and amendments online within 24 hours of passage. In addition to this, Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill, H.Res.694, to strengthen the rules of the House of Representatives to make it easier for Members of Congress to request that a bill be read aloud on the House floor before it is voted on.

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.

Protected cities from being coerced into unconstitutional agreements by activist groups. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1300, the Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA).The bill would prohibit activist groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from recovering legal fees when they successfully sue localities for violation of the Establishment Clause. Currently, many cities and towns are being coerced into settling claims, which are oftentimes unconstitutional, out of fear of huge monetary losses. PERA would modify the law so each side pays its attorney fees.

Prohibiting Federal Funds for ACORN.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Defund Acorn Act, H.R. 3571, to prohibit ACORN from receiving federal funds. In recent weeks, ACORN has come under scrutiny for a series of undercover videos that show ACORN employees in four different cities providing advice on how to acquire government assistance for setting up a brothel. Additionally, the FBI has recently issued arrest warrants for 11 Miami ACORN employees accused of falsifying hundreds of voter registration cards. Congressman Forbes also voted for an amendment to prohibit ACORN from receiving federal funds.  This amendment passed the House by a vote of 345 - 75.

Supported financial relief for the United States Postal Service (USPS). H.R. 22 would change current law to allow the USPS to pay its share of contributions for annuitants' health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. Since 2008, mail volume has been down 12.6 percent due to the increased use of email and the economic downturn. In an age of increasingly rapid technological advancement, it is vital that USPS enact dramatic reform in order to compete with the private sector and the growing reliance on telecommunications. This bill passed the House by a vote of 388 - 32.

Recognized September 17, 2009 as Constitution Day. On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time in Philadelphia to sign the document they had created. The document was then sent to the states for ratification where all 13 of the original states signed it. The document officially became the United States Constitution on June 21, 1788 after New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the document. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 734, which would encourage Americans to celebrate the birth of our nation’s Constitution and to recognize the importance of this document for our nation’s history.

Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act of 2009. H.R. 3226 would eliminate taxpayer funding for “czars” who hold senior policy-making positions and are appointed without the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.

Supported making participation in the American Community Survey voluntary. Leading up to the 2010 Census, this mandatory survey is sent out to a random sampling of 3 million households in the U.S. and Puerto Rico every year. Individuals are required to answer 28 pages of personal questions, or face fines ranging from $100- $5,000. There are numerous privacy concerns with the government’s collection of such comprehensive and potentially sensitive information. Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 3131, which would make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, and only require people to answer four basic questions: a) Name, b) Contact info, c) Date of Response, and d) Number of people living or staying at the same address.

Supported a resolution to recognize September 11th.  H. Res. 722 honors the heroic service of first responders, law enforcement personnel, state and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the victims and, in so doing, bravely risked and often sacrificed their own lives and health. The United States remains steadfast in its determination to defeat, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and seeks to harness all elements of national power, including its military, economic, and diplomatic resources, to do so. This bill passed the House by a vote of 416- 0.

Congressman Forbes introduced legislation, H.Res.694, to ensure Members can demand a reading of a bill prior to a vote on the House floor, especially in circumstances where insufficient time had been given for the review of that measure. Current House rules include the right for any Member to demand a reading of the bill, but this rule is routinely waived.

Congressman Forbes supported a requirement to ensure all legislation is available to Members and the American public for three days before a vote is called on the bill. H.Res. 554 would change the House Rules to require pending legislation to be placed on the Internet for at least 72 hours before a vote can be taken on the House floor.

Opposed increasing spending for government agencies. Congressman Forbes voted against H.R. 3170, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act which provides $1.8 billion for 2010, 4 percent more than regular 2009 funding. The legislation reduces the District of Columbia’s school voucher program by funding vouchers only for those students already receiving vouchers. The bill also eliminates the current ban on using local D.C. funds for abortions and for domestic partnership benefits. The bill passed the House by a vote of 219-208. 

Opposed new federal mandates on the tobacco industry. Congressman Forbes opposed H.R.1256, a bill that would allow tobacco products to be given a “FDA approved” seal of approval, which would send the wrong message to our children about the safety of tobacco products while imposing mandates on states and private businesses.

Introduced interagency reform legislation to examine long-term global challenges facing the U.S. Congressman Forbes introduced H.R. 2207, the Interagency Cooperation Commission (ICC) Act, which would bring together officials from the Administration, Congress, and outside experts to recommend legislative and regulatory changes to improve the coordination of federal activities for major undertakings such as post-Katrina recovery, the government pandemic flu response, and coordinating government policy toward China and other countries.

Opposed funding increases for congressional committees. Congressman Forbes opposed H.Res. 279, which would raise the amount of money committee’s have available to pay for staff salaries and administrative expenses by 8.67% over levels for the last Congress. Congressman Forbes believes that when our economy is in a recession, unemployment figures are on the rise, home values are falling, and our national debt exceeds $10 trillion, Congress should not raise funding levels for itself. Congressman Forbes continues to fight for fiscal responsibility at all levels of government spending.

Supported H.R. 1323, to reduce the number of government documents unnecessarily shielded from public view.  The Reducing Information Control Designations Act would would require the federal government to create regulations on how to control access to documents that are not classified, as well as provide information to date and track such documents.  This measure would provide a single standard for all federal agencies and reduce the likelihood of documents being improperly shielded.

Entered a statement in the Congressional Record outlining his opposition to increasing pay for Members of Congress, and demanded that Congress cancel the automatic pay increase system currently in place for Members.  Congressman Forbes entered this statement in relation to his vote to oppose H.R. 1105, the $410 billion spending bill that funds the government through the rest of Fiscal Year 2009 by $32 billion, or 8.3%, over FY2008 levels.  While he opposed the overall bill, the 1100-plus page omnibus bill contained a provision supported by Congressman Forbes that freezes Member pay upon passage of the bill. 

Congressman Forbes recently cosponsored H.R. 156, legislation that would prevent Members from receiving an automatic cost of living adjustment in the future. Voted in favor of H.Res. 83 recognizing the significance of Black History Month as an important time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in our nation’s history.  

Voted in favor of H.Res. 47 supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.  Peace Officers Memorial Day honors federal, state, and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Speaker Pelosi announced that House leadership is working to block the pay raise for Congress Members’ salaries next year after Congressman Forbes and 108 other Members cosponsored H.R. 156.  This bill would prevent Members of Congress from receiving an automatic cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.  Congressman Forbes has never supported the annual cost of living adjustment for Members.  Under the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, increases in salaries for Members are an automatic COLA that is mandated by law unless otherwise declined by Congress. Congressman Forbes has consistently voted against the pay raise each year it has been considered by the House of Representatives.  

Attended House Republican Select Committee on Earmark Reform meeting to make recommendations to increase transparency and accountability in the annual federal spending process.

Cosponsored H.R. 156, which would prevent Members of Congress from receiving an automatic cost of living adjustment in 2010. Congressman Forbes has never supported the annual cost of living adjustment for Members. Under the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, increases in salaries for Members are an automatic annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is mandated by law unless otherwise declined by Congress. Congressman Forbes has consistently voted against the pay raise each year it has been considered by the House of Representatives. 

Opposed H.R. 35, the Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2009, which would significantly burden current and former presidents and may raise constitutional separation of powers issues. This bill would modify current procedures for requesting and releasing presidential records by setting deadlines for the release of records being made public, and requiring that presidents notify the Archivist and Congress when asserting constitutional privilege against disclosure of records.  This bill would unreasonably restrict the time that presidents have to review documents necessary to assert relevant claims of executive privilege.  Such restriction would lead to sweeping, blanket claims of privilege over large quantities of material by presidents.

Opposed H.R. 36, the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2009, over concerns that the bill disregards sound federal criminal law and would establish a law that could be easily abused. This bill would amend the Presidential Libraries Act to impose additional reporting requirements on donations to presidential libraries, require public disclosure of donation records, and impose civil and criminal penalties for violations.  This bill includes provisions that would include up to five years in prison for submitting false material information or omitting material information with respect to a donation as small as $200. Such penalties are well-intended, but these provisions stray from a balanced approach necessary to support sound federal criminal law.

Supported S.J.Res.3, a joint resolution ensuring that the compensation of the Secretary of the Interior complies with the Constitution. With the imminent appointment of Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to the position of the Secretary of the Interior, legislation is needed to avoid any violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution.  Specifically, the emoluments clause states that it is unconstitutional to appoint elected officials to government positions when they have voted on the salary for the position during their most recent term in office. Reverting the salary back to the level that existed prior to 2005 should rectify this violation of the emoluments clause.

Opposed H. Res. 5, the 111^th Congress rules package. Rules packages are voted on at the beginning of each new Congress and set procedural guidelines for how legislation will be considered.  The rules package included a number of concerning provisions. For example, tax bills that are designated as “emergency” will receive an exception from the House’s pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules, increasing the likelihood of large budget deficits. The six-year term limit on House committee chairmen has been repealed in this rules package, making seniority more important than merit. Also, this rules package prevents minority party members from offering amendments to bills on the floor that would send the bill back to the appropriate committee with specific instructions. 

Supported H.R. 6669, which would expedite the donation of certain presidential documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the National Archives. The Sun-Times Media Group hopes to donate the Grace Tully papers — named for the former commander in chief’s secretary, who collected them — to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y. That library is an arm of the National Archives.  However, the Archives has asserted a claim that it already owns a portion of the papers — which would prevent the Sun-Times from reaping the full tax benefits of a donation. This bill would waive the National Archives’ claim.  The collection includes historical gems such as Roosevelt’s correspondence with Benito Mussolini. 

Supported S. 3536, which would allow the United States Postal Service to set its own rates for international air mail contracts, scrapping a system of government rate-setting that has been in place for decades. The measure would allow the Postal Service to enter into contracts to transport mail internationally, with U.S. airlines given preference. However, it also would establish a process through which the Postal Service could contract with a foreign air carrier if it had not received offers from at least two U.S. airlines at a “fair and reasonable price.” Currently, the Transportation Department sets rates that the Postal Service must pay to U.S. air carriers for transporting international mail, based on a methodology set in the late 1970s by the Civil Aeronautics Board, the predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Postal Service has argued that the current system results in excessive rates, impeding the U.S. operation’s ability to compete in the international airmail marketplace.

Supported H.R. 5683, which gives employees with the Government Accountability Office the same cost-of-living adjustments that other federal workers receive.

Supported H.R. 6575, legislation that directs the nation’s archivist to establish new regulations so that government agencies do not impose more restrictive classifications than particular documents deserve.  The goal of this bill is to improve the sharing of information between arms of the government and comes in response to the independent September 11^th commission, which suggested limiting the unnecessary classification of documents to give all agencies involved in national security more access to information about potential threats. This legislation requires random audits of information marked as classified and requires documents to identify who made the classification decision.

Supported House passage of H.R. 3032, which would allow candidates running for Federal office to designate a primary and secondary individual responsible for the disbursement of campaign funds in the event of the candidates’ death.  Current law delegates this responsibility to the campaign treasurer.

Supported House passage of H.R. 6296, which would extend the authority of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to impose civil penalties on persons found in violation of FEC regulations through 2013, an authority currently set to expire this year.

Signed a discharge petition calling for H.R. 1399 to be scheduled for a House vote.  This bill would prevent District of Columbia officials from enacting new laws that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms.  Last month, in D.C. v. Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court held that D.C.’s gun ban law violated the 2^nd Amendment of the Constitution.  In response to that ruling, D.C. officials have sought to implement new firearm ownership restrictions.  H.R. 1399 would prohibit new restrictions from becoming valid law.

Opposed H.R. 5876, which would establish a new $805 million federal bureaucracy for the regulation of residential youth programs (privately-run boot camps), which are currently overseen by state agencies.  H.R. 5876 requires programs to meet minimum federal mandates and authorizes citizens to seek relief in a U.S. district court for harm for any violation of the established standards.

Supported House passage of H.R. 5687, the Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008.  This legislation would require that appointments to advisory committees be made without regard to political affiliation. However, the bill would also require that appointees complete a conflict of interest form, and requires that agency heads ensure no one is appointed to an advisory committee who has a relevant conflict of interest.

Supported passage of H.Res. 1283, a resolution expressing sympathy for the victims of the tornado that hit Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008.  The tornado took the lives of four young Boy Scouts and injured 43 others when it struck the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch.  The resolution also expresses gratitude to the officials, first responders, and medical teams for their efforts to respond quickly and treat the victims. 

Supported House Passage of H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008, which would provide four weeks of paid paternity/maternity leave following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child for government employees.  Current law allows for 12 weeks of unpaid paternity/maternity leave.  In a recent study by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, nearly 75% of Fortune 100 companies were identified as offering an average of 6-8 weeks of paid maternity leave following the birth or adoption of a child, with 25% offering this same benefit to fathers.  In contrast, the only current way for federal employees to have paid parental leave is to use accrued sick and vacation days. 

Voted to amend H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008, so that deadbeat dads could not receive paid parental leave.  The provision would prohibit fathers who are not compliant with court ordered child support from receiving the paid parental leave benefits.  The motion failed by a vote of 206-220.   

Supported H.Res. 1219, a resolution celebrating the American flag and supporting National Flag Day.  Flag Day is celebrated annually on the anniversary of the official adoption of the flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, to honor the flag which stands as a symbol of our great nation and its ideals.    

Supported H.Res. 1237, a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, which commemorates the official ending of slavery in the United States on June 19.  While the Emancipation Proclamation officially barred slavery in the U.S. on January 1, 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865 that news of freedom spread to all states, particularly in the Southwest.   

Voted in favor of H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act of 2007.  H.R. 752 would direct all federal agencies to identify surplus electronic equipment and donate that equipment to our nation’s schools, libraries and towns in need. 

Supported H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act of 2008.  H.R. 5787 would identify excess federal property and prepares it for sale.  Prior to sale, the excess property would be made available to state and local governments and certain nonprofit institutions. 

Supported H.Res. 1132, a resolution supporting Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor federal, state, and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Supported House passage of H.R. 3033, the Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act, which would require the General Services Administration to create a database that includes any final convictions against government contractors and grant recipients that resulted in a penalty of more than $5,000.  The database would be public and also would contain a listing of all federal grants or contract recipients along with the amount of federal funds each has received.  In addition, the database created by H.R. 3033 would include information regarding current civil, criminal and administrative proceedings against federal contractors or grant recipients, giving the federal government the necessary tools to assess responsibility and risk in the contract award process. 

Supported House passage of H.R. 5712, the Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act, which would require federal contractors to notify the Office of Inspector General when they believe they have violated criminal law or received overpayment for awarded contracts.  The bill would apply to all federal contracts over $5 million that are more than 120 days in duration.  H.R. 5712 would also apply to contracts both inside and outside the U.S., changing a provision published last year in Federal Acquisition Regulations, which exempted overseas contracts from fraud reporting requirements.

Supported House passage of H.R. 3928, the Government Funding Transparency Act of 2008, which would require contractors receiving more than $25 million annually from federal contracts, totaling more than 80 percent of their income, to disclose the names and salaries of the contractor’s executive officer, financial officer, the three other most highly compensated officers, and the directors.  H.R. 3928 will provide the American taxpayer and Congress the necessary oversight and transparency to assess the federal contracting award process.

Supported House passage of H.R. 5489, the “Congresswoman Jo Ann S. Davis Post Office” Designation Act.  This legislation would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6892 Main Street in Gloucester, Virginia, the “Congresswoman Jo Ann S. Davis Post Office” after the late Congresswoman Davis.  Rep. Forbes, a cosponsor of the legislation, said, "Jo Ann Davis to me represented the best of what America has to offer.  She was a friend of mine. I still miss her to this day. I think the district continues to miss her, and I think the country continues to miss her.”

Voted against H.Res. 895, which established an independent Office of Congressional Ethics within the House of Representatives.  The panel has the authority to open investigations that could ultimately be referred to the current Ethics committee, known as the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Congressman Forbes opposed the bill because the independent panel would bring more partisanship to the ethics process without doing anything to impose punishment on law-breakers. A vote to even consider creating the panel became contentious, and House leadership decided to extend the time for the vote when they realized that a majority of members had concerns about whether the measure should be considered at all.  Ultimately, the vote passed after several members switched their initial vote.

Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 286, to honor and recognize, Earl Lloyd, who broke the color-barrier in basketball by becoming the first African-American to play in the National Basketball Association League in 1950.

Supported H.R. 928, the Improving Government Accountability Act, which would overhaul the inspector general system within the executive branch by limiting the allowable reasons for dismissing an inspector general, allow inspector generals to directly submit budget requests to Congress, and establish a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Cosponsored legislation that would modify the House Rules in order to provide greater access and more transparency to legislative proposals. This legislation would require the Clerk post an electronic “red line” edition of all bills introduced, showing how the bill proposes to modify current U.S. Code. Such a tool would provide more transparency to legislative proposals by providing a format illustrating how the proposed legislation modifies current law. The proposed rule change would require that the proposed language changes be shown so that anyone can see how the bill proposes to change the code section.

Supported H.R. 2630, the Campaign Expenditure Transparency Act, which prohibits the spouse of an individual holding federal office or the spouse of a candidate for federal office from receiving payments for services provided to a campaign committee or a leadership Political Action Committee (PAC). In addition, H.R. 2630 establishes a penalty for candidates and officeholders who violate this Act.

Supported H.R. 1239, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007. H.R. 1239 authorizes additional funding to carry out the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998. This program, administered by the National Park Service, coordinates preservation and education efforts nationwide, and works to integrate local historical sites, museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground Railroad into a community, regional, and national network.

Voted in favor of H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. This legislation, the "lobbying reform" bill, would require registered lobbyists to file quarterly disclosure reports on all lobbying activities and federal election-related political contributions. These reports would be maintained in an electronic database available to the public free of charge and searchable over the Internet. In addition, this legislation would increase penalties for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements.

Voted in favor of H.R. 2317, the Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007, which would require all lobbyists who bundle two or more contributions to a candidate for federal elected office, an individual holding federal office, a political party committee or a leadership political action committee (PAC), each quarter to file a quarterly report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1362, the Accountability in Contracting Act, which would require federal agencies to limit the use of abuse-prone government contracts during situations such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This legislation would instruct federal agencies to minimize the use of contracts that do not contain cost estimates, and to promote the use of cost-effective, fixed-price contracts. It also requires agencies to report to Congress on contracts that go over their original budget.

Cosponsored H.Res. 231, which would require that all House Committee votes be posted on official Committee websites. Posting these votes on official Committee websites will encourage transparency and make it easier for constituents to see how their Representative voted during this important step in the legislative process.

Attended the President's annual State of the Union Address.

Commented on the State of the Union Address:

• Read Congressman Forbes' official statement here.
• Listen to the podcast with Bearing Drift Blogger Jim Hoeft.
• Read his comments in the article by the Daily Press.

Cosponsored the Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act, H.R. 404. This bill would set higher standards for government agencies in their performance in customer service. Currently, U.S. law does not provide for customer service standards and performance measures for federal agencies. This legislation would create a standard for agencies, holding them accountable for the service they provide to the nation's citizens.

Cosponsored The Pledge Protection Act, H.R. 699, which protects our Pledge of Allegiance by preventing judges and lawyers from questioning the constitutionality of the phrase "under God," as well as stopping those who would like federal courts to ban the Pledge of Allegiance from schools because it mentions "One nation, under God."