Issa to Support PPP Extension for Small Businesses and Employees

On March 16 Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced his support for legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses specifically impacted by COVID-19. Issa said:

“It’s only right to extend support to small businesses as they get back on their feet during the pandemic, following repeated government shutdowns and the severe economic damage that inevitably followed. Small businesses and the essential team members they are able to retain will now be extended with targeted loans they need and deserve to go forward.”

The PPP Extension Act of 2021 extends the deadline to apply for a Small Business Administration’s (SBA) PPP loan through June 2021. To date, the SBA has provided more than 7.5 million loans, totaling more than $687 billion in assistance to date.

Congressman Issa is also a cosponsor of the PPP Flexibility for Farmers and Ranchers Act, which would expand access to PPP loans for small farmers and ranchers.

Congressman Issa also will support the COVID–19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021 to continue COVID-19 bankruptcy relief provisions for small businesses and families through March 2022.

Issa Details Extensive Flaws in Farm Workforce Modernization Act

On March 18,  Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) made the following statement regarding his opposition to H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021:

“There is no greater immigration priority than the crisis unfolding on our southern border. Congressional consideration of two mass amnesty bills while this situation worsens is precisely the wrong message to send to the world. And passage of these bills will encourage and reward the dangerous journey that imperils lives and even encourage human trafficking.

“After our border is secured and lawful entry restored, Congress should turn its attention to the persistent agriculture labor workforce shortage. H.R. 1603, however, is not the lasting legal solution needed for the great majority of our nation’s ag sector.

“To end reliance on illegal immigrant labor, the H-2A temporary ag worker program must be made less burdensome for employers. Yet this bill raises government mandated wage rates, adds employer liabilities and extends the list of required benefits making an unpalatable program even less employer friendly.

“Further, I fear the bill will exacerbate the ag labor shortage by creating a pathway to citizenship for approximately one million workers, spouses and children who will leave, or never enter, agricultural positions creating an even larger labor shortage that will need to be backfilled.

“Together, these significant flaws neither fix the perennial labor shortage nor the continued reliance on an illegal workforce. While this bill does not represent a workable nationwide solution, I am committed to helping craft one that will.”

Congressman Issa previously introduced immigration reform measures to create temporary worker visas that facilitate a legal, stable, and non-permanent labor supply for jobs with demonstrable U.S. labor shortages, including agriculture.

Issa Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Veterans Service Organization

On March 23, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the historic contributions and patriotism of our nation’s Veterans Service Organizations. Issa stated:

“Millions of devoted Americans volunteer with Veterans Service Organizations each year, acting as indispensable partners to the government in delivering for our military, our veterans and their families. Without their work, necessary services including key financial support and vital personal arrangements would simply not get done. We should take this time to recognize their countless contributions and enduring dedication on behalf of those who have given so much to us.”

Issa was joined in introduction with cosponsor Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), who added: “I’ve worked with Veteran’s Service Organizations throughout my time in Congress. The sole purpose of these groups is to support servicemembers, past and present, from across Ohio and the entire country. The federal government cannot do it alone – these are the Americans that do the hard work. They are true patriots.”

Other original cosponsors include: Representatives Banks, Fitzpatrick, McClintock, Vargas, Grothman, Gaetz, Posey, Budd, Joyce, Valadao, Mast, Franklin, DesJarlais, Babin, Obernolte, Dunn, Steel, LaMalfa, Chabot, Feenstra, Allen, Tenney, Norman, Young, Stefanik, Cawthorn, Wenstrup, Bishop (NC), Baird.

Issa is a veteran of the U.S. Army. The 50th Congressional District is adjacent to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, near multiple Southern California military bases, and home to thousands of veterans.

Read the full resolution text here.

Statement from Congressman Darrell Issa on SD County Providing Teachers for Illegal Migrants:

March 29
Following reports that teachers will be sent to the San Diego Convention Center to provide in-person instruction for the illegal migrants there, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-50) released this statement:

“For more than a year, parents and students in San Diego County have waited for educators to answer one question: When will our schools reopen with in-person instruction only? And for a year, they’ve been told to wait. The decision to provide in-person instruction to illegal migrants is outrageous and parents have every right to be angry.”

Issa Secures Previously Blocked Reimbursement to Palomar Health of Escondido

On April 5 Congressman Darrell Issa announced the finalization of Palomar Health Escondido’s reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the formation and implementation of its Covid-19 alternate care site, which provides critical capacity for the region. After initial reimbursement challenges, Issa worked directly with state and federal offices to comprehensively review and quickly secure reimbursement.

“Palomar was asked by two levels of government to take the lead in our community’s COVID-19 response and made significant investments to do so. When Palomar was met with bureaucratic obstacles to gain its deserved reimbursement, our office worked with various levels of government to overcome them. This timely result is a credit to Palomar’s good work, as well as FEMA’s Region 9 Team, which was responsive in solving this problem,” Issa said.

“Congressman Issa’s leadership has helped us recoup vital assets that are critical to providing high quality healthcare to an underserved population,” said Palomar Health President and CEO Diane Hansen.

Background

In early 2020, responding to requests from county and state officials to help coordinate a community based COVID response, Palomar Health began the process for designation as a federal medical station.

In March 2020, San Diego County requested the hospital be reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers. On April 3, 2020, the Army Corps of Engineers provided a positive assessment, and the California Department of Public Health approved the request.

Palomar Medical Center in Escondido worked with state and federal agencies to establish an alternate care site on two floors of the facility. Alternate care sites were strategically implemented by the state to provide relief for local hospitals and healthcare systems facing potential overcrowding.

On December 31, 2020, the Federal Medical Station at Palomar was activated and began treating patients.