Science and Technology

ü  Voted in favor of H.R. 1867, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007, which would increase funding for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) educational programs in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. NSF is one of three agencies that advances the American Competitiveness Initiative, a program which is working to make America the most innovative and competitive economy in the world by doubling the federal government’s investment in physical science research over 10 years. This legislation would encourage NSF to foster more dynamic relationships between academia and industry to spawn U.S. competitiveness.

ü  Voted in favor of H.R. 1868, the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007, which would fund the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), by increasing NIST’s lab and construction budget by 100% over the next three years. NIST laboratories also advance the American Competitiveness Initiative by conducting research on the nation's technologies to continually improve products and services.

Crime

ü  Voted against H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would designate special categories of crime victims who are targeted based on their perceived or actual race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, but does not include certain groups such as the elderly or the men and women of the Armed Forces. This legislation would require law enforcement officials to ascertain the specific thoughts and motivations that a perpetrator may have had while committing a violent crime, in order to stiffen the penalty for the underlying offense. Congressman Forbes opposes hate crime laws because they improperly focus on personal beliefs, rather than actual conduct. H.R. 1592 passed the House of Representatives on May 3, 2007 by a vote of 237 - 180.

ü  Questioned witnesses at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on security requirements for the judicial branch. The Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting the judicial branch at the federal level, testified that over 1,100 threats were made against members of the judicial branch and their families during fiscal year 2006. In recent years, violence involving judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, witnesses, law enforcement officers and courthouse employees has risen at unprecedented levels. With threats extending beyond the courthouse itself, additional security is being considered for the areas in which court personnel live and work.

Education

ü  Voted in favor of H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act. This bill would allow for continuation and improvement of the Head Start program, within the Department of Health and Human Services, beginning in 2008 through 2012. In order to strengthen Head Start, this legislation emphasizes school preparation for disadvantaged children, strengthens academic quality standards and improves the management and transparency of the Head Start program. Since 1965, Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood services to low-income preschool children and their families.

Health Care

ü  Joined with House colleagues in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals, asking them to develop more appropriate admission criteria for LTAC hospitals so that they can continue to provide specialized care to all patients who walk through their doors. LTAC hospitals serve a vital role in the Medicare program by providing care to beneficiaries with complex conditions, who are too sick to go home, but are stable enough to be released from an intensive care unit.

ü  Joined House colleagues in a letter supporting diabetes research, treatment and prevention programs, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner. The letter specifically asks the House leadership for significant funding for minority communities for type 1 diabetes research and type 2 diabetes treatment and prevention programs.  According to the Center for Disease Control, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in 2000. According to the National Institute of Health, roughly 20 million people, or seven percent of the population, have diabetes, and many individuals lack access to proper treatment of diabetes.

ü  Cosponsored H.Res. 257, a resolution supporting Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  This legislation raises public awareness for citizens across the country about pancreatic cancer, the need for funding, early detection methods, effective treatments and prevention programs. Over 37,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. If passed, this resolution would designate November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Transportation

ü  Cosponsored the Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act. This legislation is designed to provide liability protection for nonprofit public benefit flying organizations that perform missions such as free medical patient transportation, environmental observation, and organ transport. It would include groups such as Angel Flight and similar organizations, who provide free air transportation to those in need, whose non-emergency health care problems require travel to and from medical facilities. 

Defense

 ü  Voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act in a Seapower Subcommittee Markup. This legislation authorizes funding for defense of the United States, including military construction. The bill includes projects with direct impacts in the Fourth District, with funding for a new aircraft carrier and a plan to construct two Virginia Class Submarines. The Tidewater area contains the only U.S. shipyard that can construct a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and would also be responsible for partial construction of the submarines.