Issa Leads California GOP Delegation Calling on Biden Administration to Address Aviation Fuel Shortages During Wildfire Season

Members request immediate contingency plans to equip first responders, protect vulnerable communities
Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) and the California GOP Congressional Delegation have called on the Biden Administration to immediately act to prevent expected disastrous aviation fuel shortages that could leave California and the Western United States without the critical use of full aerial capabilities to mitigate and overcome regional wildfires.

In a letter sent on July 19, the unified delegation called for Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to address an alarming new report from the Associated Press entitled ‘Scary:’ Fuel Shortage Could Ground Firefighting Aircraft, and to provide detailed responses regarding preparations, logistics, pre-positioning of resources, and urgent contingency planning needed to allow for robust aerial firefighting capabilities this fire season.

“We know the devastating loss of life, land and property that wildfires can inflict in the West almost without warning. That’s why it is inexplicable that because of administrative failures, our firefighters could face the peak of fire season without the aviation fuel supplies to support first responders and line personnel on the ground. The Biden Administration must act now, not wait until our communities are burning.  We are calling for leadership and cooperation to prevent the kind of disaster we have seen before” Issa said.

The July 12 AP report cited a National Interagency Fire Center official who said fuel shortages were a challenge “they have not run into before,” and that it is “a scary thought with all the shortages going on right now.” Also outlined was a potential ripple effect if multiple bases go dry simultaneously during a very busy wildfire season.

The delegation noted that concerns are especially relevant because the Biden Administration has pledged to dramatically reduce the production and use of fossil fuels: “For the foreseeable future, heavy equipment, personnel transport, aircraft, pumps, generators, saws and other tools that help firefighters do their jobs all require fossil fuels. If firefighters do not have the fuel to fight fires, the Administration is not doing its job to ensure that those on the front lines are properly equipped for their essential, life-saving work.”

Issa was joined by the entire California GOP delegation: Congressman McCarthy (CA-23), Congressman LaMalfa (CA-1), Congressman McClintock (CA-4), Congressman Obernolte (CA-8), Congressman Valadao (CA-21), Congressman Nunes (CA-22), Congressman Garcia (CA-25), Congresswoman Kim (CA-39), Congressman Calvert (CA-42), and Congresswoman Steel (CA-48).

Click here to read a copy of the delegation letter.

Issa, Jordan Investigating IRS Unlawful Disclosure of Thousands of Tax Returns

On July 27, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (OH-4) announced they are investigating the unlawful disclosure of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax returns of thousands of Americans published in a series of articles by ProPublica in June.

Issa said, “The IRS has been weaponized before to target political opponents and this latest leak of confidential tax records from the IRS is suggestive of the most troubling type of politically motivated misconduct – to target innocent people and advance extreme, partisan legislation.

“At a time when the Biden Administration is proposing to double the size of the IRS and hire 87,000 new agents, there is no time to wait. We must hold the IRS accountable now.”

The letter highlights, “On June 8, 2021, ProPublica began publishing a series of articles after “obtain[ing] a vast trove of Internal Revenue Service data on the tax returns of thousands of the nation’s wealthiest people, covering more than 15 years.”

Because tax returns are filled with personal and sensitive information, federal law requires that tax “returns and return information shall be confidential.” Congress has also made the unlawful disclosure of tax return information a felony. Despite these safeguards, an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee or employees—or someone with access to the returns—disclosed this confidential information to ProPublica in violation of the law.”

The letter continued, “ProPublica also noted that the leak came at a time when “[t]he president [sic] and Congress are considering the most ambitious tax increases in decades on those with high incomes.” Leaks of tax information for political purposes harm the American people’s trust in the IRS and its ability to fairly administer federal tax laws.”

In a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, Issa and Jordan requested key document preservation and a briefing.

In a second letter, the Members requested a briefing from Treasury Inspector General Russell George on the TIGTA investigation findings to date.

Issa, Case Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 80^th Anniversary of Filipino Veteran WWII Service

On July 27, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) and Congressman Ed Case (HI-1) introduced a resolution recognizing Filipino veterans who served alongside the U.S. during World War II on the 80^th anniversary of the military order issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Issa said, “World War II is one of history’s greatest triumphs of freedom over global tyranny. This fight had many fronts, one of which was the Pacific theater beginning 80 years ago, where Filipino veterans provided essential support and fought alongside the U.S. and our Allies. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan resolution of recognition with 16 of my colleagues.”

Upon introduction, the resolution was also cosponsored by Reps. Herrell, Kinzinger, Fitzpatrick, Salazar, Rice, Valadao, Kim, Y., LaMalfa, Calvert, Nunes, Steel, McClintock, Garcia, McCarthy and Obernolte.

Background
On July 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order conscripting Philippine military forces into the service of the U.S. Armed Forces. At the time, President Roosevelt said, “In this great struggle of the Pacific the loyal Americans of the Philippine Island are called upon to play a crucial role … I count on every Philippine man, woman, and child to do his duty. We will do ours.”

Approximately 250,000 Filipinos served the cause under the command of General MacArthur in the Far East, in guerrilla units, and the Philippine Scouts. Their service to our country was of critical importance to the Allied success in the Pacific.

Read the resolution text here.

Issa Authors Amendment to Restore Innovative Apprenticeship Program

On July 28, the House of Representatives considered an amendment authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) to restore the Department of Labor’s Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) following the Biden Administration’s abrupt cancelation in February 2021.

Issa offered the amendment along with colleagues, Representatives Harshbarger, Steel, Kim, Womack, and Guthrie, to the FY2022 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill.

Issa said, “There could be no better time than now to create pathways for workers to enter critical fields like nursing and STEM. The IRAP apprenticeships allow customized programs with field-specific curriculum so participants graduate with industry-recognized credentials and workplace-relevant experience. It is a win for all participants and an effort we should all support.”

“President Trump’s establishment of Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) allowed prospective workers to get hands-on experience while making the apprenticeship process more accessible for employers. Instead of bowing to pressure from unions that are entrenched in the apprenticeship programs of the past, Biden and Congressional Democrats should support innovative programs that open the door for workers to achieve the American Dream,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger.

First introduced in 2017 as flexible, employer-led programs, IRAP apprenticeships are designed to be more responsive to changing workforce needs. Focusing on rapidly growing industries including health care and STEM-based positions, IRAP apprenticeships connect students and job seekers with the most competitive job skills possible.

Issa Sponsors Bipartisan Resolution Endorsing Vital, Enduring U.S./Lebanon Relationship

On July 29, Congressmen Darrell Issa (CA-50) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) today introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Lebanon and coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the devastating and deadly chemical explosions in Beirut. Reps. Issa and LaHood are both co-chairs of the bipartisan U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus.

House Resolution 569 also endorses the swift formation of an independent, democratic government and rebukes the terrorist organization Hezbollah and its continued control over Lebanon and its people. The resolution also outlines the importance of continued humanitarian efforts and details the central role of the Lebanese Armed Forces in securing the country and countering malign influence from bad actors, both internal and external.

Congressman Issa said, “The country of my grandparents is on the verge of becoming a failed state, and malign actors are circling like vultures. Working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will never stop my advocacy for our bilateral relationship, a corruption-free government, and the restoration of Lebanon as an arbiter of peace in the region. It is manifestly unjust that while they are successful in every corner of the world, the one place the Lebanese people are not able to be successful is their very own country. This must change.”

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the tragic blast in Beirut that further destabilized the country and region, American support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Armed Forces is critical,” said Congressman LaHood. “My resolution reaffirms United States’ commitment to the people of Lebanon and to peace in the region. A strong, independent, and sovereign Lebanon can help provide stability in the Middle East, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to support a productive and sustainable U.S.-Lebanon relationship.”

“The House Resolution sends a very strong message to the Lebanese people that their survival and that of Lebanon are in the interests of the United States. As importantly, it sends a clear message to Lebanon’s government that members of Congress are concerned with its inability to conduct a transparent and credible investigation of the explosions and ‘calls on the Government of Lebanon to conduct a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation into the cause of, and responsibility for, the August 4 explosions, and include impartial international experts as part of the investigation team,” added Ed Gabriel, the American Task Force on Lebanon’s President and CEO.

Read the full text of the resolution, here.

Issa Sponsors Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Providing Critical New Resources to Federal Judiciary

On August 3, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to provide the federal judiciary critical resources in the form of new judges to relieve overcrowded dockets and streamline vital court proceedings. After introducing the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act (JUDGES Act), Issa was joined by California Representatives Juan Vargas and Scott Peters, as well as Victoria Spartz (IN). A Senate companion bill of this legislation was introduced by Senators Todd Young (IN) and Chris Coons (DE).

Congressman Issa said: “California courts are both overburdened by caseload and facing a chronic shortage of federal judges, and the negative impacts of this twin inefficiency are serious. When there is an insufficient number of judges on the bench, cases are delayed – and justice right along with it. We now again have the chance to work in good faith and craft legislation that does not give a partisan advantage. This framework has the potential to achieve bipartisan consensus on a critical issue for our courts and for our country, while continuing to guide future legislation on this vital issue.”

Earlier this year, the Judicial Conference of the United States, a nonpartisan policy-making body for federal courts, recommended that Congress create 77 new district court judgeships to help alleviate this crisis. Congressman Issa’s legislation would enact the report’s recommendation and create the recommended judgeships after future presidential elections – with half of the judgeships being authorized on January 21, 2025, and the remainder on January 21, 2029.

“We now again have the chance to work in good faith and craft legislation that does not give a partisan advantage. This framework has the potential to achieve bipartisan consensus on a critical issue for our courts and for our country, while continuing to guide future legislation on this vital issue.”
“Like many courts across the country, courts in California face a shortage of federal judges. This is dangerous, as it places extreme burdens on the already overtaxed court system,” said Congressman Peters. “The bipartisan, bicameral bill we introduced today addresses the issue head-on by adding 77 judgeships over the next decade. It’s a commonsense solution and I look forward to working with our colleagues in the House and Senate to get this done.”

“Our judicial system is overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of pending cases. It has long been said that justice delayed is justice denied,” said Congresswoman Spartz. “This legislation addresses this issue for the most overworked regions of our country, including Indiana, in a productive not political manner.”
“Bicameral and bipartisan support for the JUDGES Act underscores the urgency of the judicial crisis we are facing in America. The overload of cases and shortage of judges, which has only worsened during the pandemic, is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Our legislation will help ensure all Americans receive a timely day in federal court,” said Senator Young.

“Lower courts across the country, including in Delaware, are struggling to keep up with growing caseloads,” said Senator Coons. “For too long, Congress has failed to provide the federal bench the resources it needs to give every litigant their day in court. I’m glad to see bipartisan momentum in both the House and Senate to finally address this issue and ensure our judicial system is accessible to all.”

Background

Congress last increased the number of federal district court judgeships more than 17 years ago – the longest gap since the original establishment of federal district courts in 1789. As of March 31, 2021, there were 696,789 pending cases in federal district courts across the country, averaging 803 filings per judgeship. These cases include civil rights claims, criminal prosecutions, environmental and consumer protection litigation, discrimination claims, challenges to government power, and holding corporations accountable for misconduct.

In 2018, Congressman Issa introduced the Judiciary ROOM Act, which added the Judicial Conference’s recommendation of 52 new permanent district court judgeships and converted eight temporary district court judgeships into permanent judgeships. While Republicans controlled both houses of Congress as well as the White House, Congressman Issa agreed to move the effective date of the bill to 2021, ensuring that neither party could expect to be the beneficiary of the new judgeships. On September 13, 2018, the Judiciary Committee passed the ROOM Act.

Rep. Issa Statement on Infrastructure Bill Failures

On August 9, Rep. Darrell Issa released the following statement regarding the contents of a proposed infrastructure bill unveiled by President Biden and a group of Senators:

“Every day, Americans are charged taxes and fees they are told provides for the nation’s infrastructure. And while citizens send Washington billions of dollars every year, it somehow never gets invested in the way taxpayers are promised. All the while, our country’s roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, waterways and other physical and industrial systems only fall into greater disrepair.

“While there is broad consensus on both sides of the aisle, in both houses of Congress and throughout the nation to invest in America’s essential infrastructure, the Senate deal does not meet this standard. I will not be supporting this legislation, and I am encouraging my colleagues to join me in opposition.

“According to published reports and nonpartisan analysis, only 23 percent of the bill’s $548 billion in new spending will go towards core infrastructure while spending billions on new environmental programs, as well as rail and transit that favors only coastal regions. This is separate and apart from the fact that the agreement also contains unrealistic funding sources and massive new deficit spending.

“There is simply no reason why Congress can’t produce streamlined, essential infrastructure investment without a series of backroom deals that hold roads, bridges and other needs hostage to a political wish list that does not have anything resembling consensus support.

“The American people deserve better than this roadway gimmick. I will work to see that they get it.”

To read letters in support of federal funding for CA-50 area projects, click here.
Rep. Issa Holds Agriculture Roundtable

Area Ag Leaders Shared Water, Labor, Tax and Regulatory Challenges in Ramona

On August 13, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) convened farm industry leaders from throughout San Diego County to review their concerns and examine in detail the leading issues facing the area’s billion-dollar agriculture economy.

Rep. Issa met with a dozen leaders along with members of the San Diego County Farm Bureau at Reds Whites & Brews, a Ramona-based family-owned business showcasing area wine, craft brews and cider. Attendees included owners, operators, managers, and employees from many of the county’s prominent agricultural sectors.  Roundtable participants outlined the challenges facing San Diego County agriculture including the high cost of land, water, rising costs for state and local regulation and compliance, COVID recovery, and labor.

They also discussed how, despite these challenges, the region remains an agriculture leader among all counties in the nation: It is the number one producer of nursery crops and population of part-time farmers, and number two in farms with women as principal operator. The county is also home to approximately 5,000 farmers operating family-owned businesses on 250,000 total acres, which includes more small farms (less than 10 acres) than any other county in the nation.

“San Diego’s agriculture industry is a global powerhouse in so many unique fields, including wines, fruits, nuts, avocados, macadamias, nursery crops, and cut flowers,” Rep. Issa said. “County farmers, ranchers, and growers are a vital part of our regional economy and epitomize the type of multi-generational, family-owned and family-operated businesses that need our help and deserve a voice in the nation’s capital. I am honored to be their champion in Washington and will continue to lean on their expertise to work toward policy solutions that will ease their burdens and keep the industry healthy for decades to come,” Issa added.

To view photos of the meeting, click here.

Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 50th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and northeastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Temecula, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015.