Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Congressman J. Randy Forbes represents the diverse and expansive Fourth Congressional District of Virginia. Since his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001, he has focused his efforts on protecting the security and sovereignty of our nation, preserving the moral and historical roots of our country, strengthening our military, and promoting economic development through fiscal responsibility.
One of Congressman Forbes’ top priorities has been assessing China’s rising global influence and its impact on U.S. policy. Congressman Forbes founded the Congressional China Caucus in 2005 to educate Members of Congress on issues pertaining to China and Chinese interests, and to serve as a forum for discussion of such issues. The Caucus continues to investigate China’s global reach and the consequences of its growing international, economic, and political influence on U.S. interests.
In addition, Congressman Forbes has introduced legislation to combat Chinese espionage and is frequently tapped as a national commentator on Sino-American relations. He has testified twice before the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission, and has summarized his greatest concern that “there is coordinated approach to analyzing the multi-faceted complex nature of the China problem and the communication between agencies is inadequate at best.”
Congressman Forbes has led delegations to China and South Korea in 2005 and to China in 2007 to assess military and economic trends in these countries and their effect on U.S. relations. The delegations toured Chinese military facilities, ports, and shipyards, and met with foreign diplomats and officials, including President Hu Jintao, to discuss important issues such as intellectual property rights, the trade deficit, human rights and the need for transparency in the Chinese government.
Congressman Forbes sits on two committees: House Judiciary and House Armed Services. He serves as the Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee.
Congressman Forbes graduated from Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake in 1970. He was valedictorian of his 1974 class at Randolph-Macon College. In 1977, he graduated from the University Of Virginia School Of Law. Forbes was born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia where he still resides with his wife Shirley.