Issa Introduces Legislation to Challenge Biden Vaccine Mandate

On October 21, Congressman Darrell Issa introduced H.R. 5642, the Follow Accepted Science Together (FAST) Act, which would exempt individuals who test positive for antibodies against COVID-19 from President Biden’s federal vaccine mandate.

“The demand by this Administration for vaccine mandates is a mistake,” said Congressman Issa. “The FAST Act follows the science and exempts Americans with COVID-19 antibodies from this unfair White House edict.”

The FAST Act was developed with a scientific approach and outlined through multiple studies by the National Institute of Health, as well as Yale, BMJ, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory resource medRxiv. Extensively researched studies have determined that individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 have suitable and substantial protection from COVID-19 – making the vaccine mandate as proposed by the Biden Administration unnecessary for millions of Americans.

“The vaccines developed last year during Operation Warp Speed have helped millions of Americans – myself included,” said Congressman Issa. “But instead of trusting Americans to make their own personal health choices, the Biden Administration’s mandates are killing jobs and causing chaos. It’s time to put a stop to it,” said Issa.

Issa Introduces “Stand With Parents” Resolution

On October 21, Congressman Darrell Issa introduced legislation in support of the right of parents to speak out in order to protect their children. The resolution specifically reaffirms their vital voice in the most important education, health care and other decisions that impact the lives of their children. Upon introduction, Congressman Issa issued the following statement.

“Parents should be empowered to directly communicate with education professionals and other public entities that directly shape and determine their children’s schooling, development, health, and well-being,” said Issa. “Parental input at the community level that is presented in a lawful and appropriate manner should always be received and not discouraged.”

Congressman Issa was joined by 22 of his colleagues in introducing this resolution, which specifically outlines the importance of parental influence in and outside of the classroom. A full copy of the resolution can be found HERE.

“In numerous public meetings and even at the highest levels of government, parents are being labeled as domestic terrorists. And the Biden Administration wants to silence them,” said Issa. “I won’t let that happen. It’s time for the People’s House to stand with America’s parents.”

Congressman Issa Releases Letter to President Biden From American Stranded in Afghanistan
“No American should have to beg their President to bring them home from a dangerous foreign land.”

On October 21, Congressman Darrell Issa released correspondence to President Biden written by an American citizen from San Diego who is stranded in Afghanistan. Rep. Issa, who was also sent the letter by the citizen, added the following statement:

“For months, my office has worked tirelessly to bring home American citizens and members of our community to be reunited with their families. Throughout these efforts, we have seen the worst of the Biden Administration’s disorganized and ineffective efforts to bring our people home. The correspondence I am releasing today is difficult to read, as it captures what one of our fellow citizens is enduring in the aftermath of this President’s disastrously reckless Afghanistan pullout. No American should have to beg their President to bring them home from a dangerous foreign land. And yet, that is exactly what this member of our community and so many other American citizens may feel forced to do. Shame on this White House for its betrayal of our fellow citizens.”

Issa Announces Another American Freed from Afghanistan
“Weeks of coordination and conversation paid off and resulted in the safe return of this brave American.”

On October 22, Congressman Darrell Issa announced that an American citizen who worked as a former U.S. Army translator and his wife have been freed from Afghanistan.

“Today we can celebrate another American family we have helped escape from Afghanistan,” said Issa. “But the celebration can’t last too long because we have much work to do and hundreds of Americans to bring home to their loved ones.”

Prince Wafa, an American resident and small business manager in San Diego, California, traveled to Afghanistan to bring his wife home as President Biden’s reckless withdraw from the country made it too dangerous to remain. His wife would not have been able to escape the Taliban had Prince Wafa not traveled to meet her in Afghanistan, the couple’s native country.

“I am so grateful to Congressman Issa and his team for their dedication and nonstop effort to help me and my wife leave Afghanistan and come home to America,” said Prince Wafa.

On August 29th, Prince Wafa contacted the U.S. State Department and asked for instructions how to get out of the country and was told he would be evacuated. But he was abandoned by the Biden Administration before later connecting with Congressman Issa’s California office. From that time, Congressman Issa was in regular contact with Prince Wafa, as well as State Department personnel who repeatedly failed to make good on their obligations to an abandoned American citizen.

After waiting six weeks, Prince Wafa wrote a letter to President Biden pleading for help. Congressman Issa publicly released the letter to bring list to his story.

“Prince Wafa provided outstanding support for our troops and bravely served our country when we were in need. This time, he risked all by returning to Afghanistan to bring his wife home. The Biden Administration left them behind and we didn’t rest until they were on their way home.”

Issa Introduces Bicameral Legislation to Support Transparency Measures for Federal Judiciary

On October 26, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) introduced the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act to require online publication of financial disclosure reports for federal judges. The bill, which Congressman Issa introduced with Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), is cosponsored by Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21), and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-4). It would also require that federal judges submit periodic transaction reports for certain securities transactions. Companion legislation was introduced by Senator John Cornyn (TX) and Senator Chris Coons (DE).

“No part of our foundation of law and order can proceed without the considered, continuous and constant work of judges – and that’s why an unbiased judiciary is imperative,” said Rep. Issa. “Under this act, we will equalize the accountability of our third branch of government to the same standard of elected officials.”

“The STOCK Act rightly strengthened disclosure requirements and boosted transparency for elected officials, but federal judges were inexplicably carved out of these tougher rules,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would subject federal judges to the same disclosure requirements of other federal officials so we can be sure litigants are protected from conflicts of interest and cases are decided fairly.”

“A fundamental pillar of our justice system is the right to a fair and impartial trial. Litigants need confidence that they will receive an unbiased hearing free from outside influence and based only on the facts and the law,” said Sen. Coons. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues that will strengthen financial disclosure requirements for federal judges and help bolster confidence in the justice system.”

“Every American is entitled to equal justice under law,” said Rep. Ross. “To live up to that foundational promise, we must ensure that judges conduct themselves ethically and impartially. That is why I introduced this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the judiciary’s integrity and restore trust in our nation’s courts. The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act will ensure that judges are held to the same disclosure requirements as members of the legislative and executive branches. The bill will also grant public access to these disclosures through an online, searchable database, helping to bring necessary transparency to our nation’s courts.”

“As recent reports have confirmed, our federal judiciary has operated with too much secrecy and minimal accountability for far too long,” said Chairman Nadler. “Transparency and ethics are vital to the integrity of the judiciary and maintaining the public’s trust in our courts. We are proud to join Representatives Ross and Issa in introducing bipartisan legislation that will improve disclosure requirements for federal judges, a simple step that will help ensure judges remain impartial and cases are decided fairly.”

“Federal Judges are increasingly facing cases that involve corporate and other parties that may impact the financial investments and overall wealth of those judges and create conflicts of interest,” said Rep. Roy. “Trust in our judicial system demands clear impartiality of the judges. In order to improve that trust, judges should be required to disclose their financial interests to the American public, meaning at least adhering to the same standard as currently applied to members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with my colleagues from both chambers of Congress.”

Statement by Congressman Issa on Biden Nominee to Patent and Trade Office

On October 28, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual property & the Internet, released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of Kathi Vidal as Undersecretary for Intellectual Property & Director of the U.S. Patent & Trade Office:

“The PTO Director must work to improve patent quality and stop the misuse that currently takes place in the system. I hope Ms. Vidal will commit to administering the PTO in a manner consistent with the intent of Congress, including safeguarding the integrity of the PTAB process as envisioned in the America Invents Act. I look forward to working with her to ensure the U.S. patent system protects the intellectual property rights of entrepreneurs and maintains America’s position at the forefront of innovation and creativity.”

Statement by Congressman Darrell Issa Following Ending of ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy

Reported on October 29

“The Biden Administration’s decision to end the proven and effective ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy is all the nation needs to know about the President’s commitment to security and stability along our southern border: He doesn’t believe in it.

“From the day that Joe Biden took office, he has worked to dismantle successful policies and upend hard-won international agreements that were stemming the flow of illegal immigrants and bringing order to asylum claims. Now, from Florida to California and every border region in between, that is all being thrown away. With today’s announcement from his Department of Homeland Security, President Biden makes clear once and for all that he isn’t serious about reducing the number of illegal migrants, trafficked children or tons of deadly drugs that are entering our country in record numbers and unprecedented amounts.

“The bottom line is that this President – and his designated Border Czar Vice President Harris (who has yet to visit the border) — have done even more than reverse policy regulations that we know were working and dismantle physical border infrastructure that every border official I’ve spoken to says aided their work. They have made clear that they do not want to enforce our laws, maintain agreements or bolster our national security at the border.

“This won’t stand. The President will learn that soon enough.”

Issa Tribal Land Bill Passes House of Representatives

On November 2, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced that his bipartisan legislation to facilitate the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ work to protect a sacred San Diego County site passed in the House of Representatives today.

H.R. 1975 – The Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021 – was authored by Congressman Issa and cosponsored by Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51). The legislation will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer approximately 720 acres of land – which includes a sacred site known locally as Gregory Mountain – that was acquired by the Pala into trust for the benefit of the tribe and its members.

Rep. Issa said, “This bill enjoys broad and bipartisan support because it is the product of government and tribal communities working together to extend the reservation and ensure the culture and legacy of these lands are protected for future generations.” My thanks to my friend Rep. Vargas for his support in making this legislation a reality.

Rep. Vargas said, “I’m proud to join Rep. Issa to help protect the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ ancestral lands. Through H.R. 1975, we put these lands into a federal trust and ensure that Chokla, the sacred mountain to the Pala Band, is respected and protected for future traditions.”

Pala Chairman Robert Smith said, “The Pala Band of Mission Indians would like to express our gratitude to Congressman Darrell Issa for the work he has done to help us protect our sacred ancestral lands. We are also grateful to Congressman Juan Vargas for his long-standing partnership in our fight to protect Chokla, our sacred mountain. Putting these lands into federal trust through H.R. 1975 ensures that the people of Pala can continue to steward our lands and traditions as we have since time immemorial.

Issa Announces El Cajon Schoolchildren Freed from Afghanistan
“After months of teamwork, a brave family is finally coming home.”

On November 2, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced that a seventh family and schoolchildren from the El Cajon school district has escaped Afghanistan and will be returning to their home in California.

“For months, my staff and I have joined an unprecedented community wide effort to bring this family and these kids home. Today, we can say that they are for certain on their way back to us,” said Issa. “There are so many people to thank for making this possible.”

The father of the family – which still must remain anonymous due to the danger to other relatives in Afghanistan — was home in San Diego County when Kabul fell. The mother and their four children were forced into hiding and moved from several safehouses as they eluded the Taliban for several months.

“I’m so very thankful to Congressman Issa and his staff who did so much to help bring my family home. We cannot wait to all be together again,” said the family’s father.

Rep. Issa was first contacted by David Miyashiro, the Superintendent of the Cajon Valley Union School District in August, and informed several families that included schoolchildren, were unable to escape Afghanistan.

“From the day David first called me, our lives were changed, and we embarked on a daily mission to rescue these families,” said Congressman Issa. “David and the team he brought together has led from the start and tirelessly worked to bring everyone home.”

“We are very appreciative of Congressman Issa and his staff for their support throughout this process,” said Superintendent Miyashiro.

“Even as we know these missing schoolchildren are coming home, we are reminded that there are so many more – perhaps several hundred more – from California that are still trapped in Afghanistan,” said Congressman Issa. “Our work is not yet close to complete.”

Issa Introduces Bill to End Terrorist Funding from Illicit Mining, Mineral Trafficking

On November 3, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50), along with Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5) and Congresswoman Maria Salazar (FL-27), introduced legislation to combat terrorist organizations and rogue regimes by disrupting illicit gold mining and trafficking of precious metals that frequently fund these groups.

“To defeat terrorist groups, we have to target them from all directions, and that must include their funding,” said Rep. Issa. “Illicit gold mining and illegal mineral trafficking are increasingly giving organizations and cartels unprecedented financial capability, and this legislation is vital to crippling their revenue streams and ultimately shutting them down.”

“Illegal gold mining has become a scourge throughout Latin America, funding armed criminal groups in Colombia and Peru, propping up dictatorial regimes in Venezuela, and leaving environmental devastation in its wake,” said Rep. Salazar. “It’s time for the United States to combat this problem and treat it with the seriousness it does other international criminal activities.”

“Illicit gold mining, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, is both widespread and rampant and helps terrorist organizations and cartels launder billions of dollars of criminal proceeds across the globe,” said Rep. Fitzgerald. “This exchange is harder to track because gold is not subject to the same Treasury Department scrutiny as other forms of currency. This bill closes a loophole that has been exploited to the detriment of our national security by including precious metals as a primary money laundering concern.”

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Issa Introduces Bicameral Legislation to Streamline, Remove Cost to Access Federal Court Records System

On November 3, Congressman Darrell Issa, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property & the Internet, introduced the Open Courts Act to make it easier and remove the unnecessary cost to access the nation’s database of federal judicial filings, known as the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Rep. Issa was joined in the introduction of the legislation by Subcommittee Chairman Hank Johnson (GA-04). Earlier this year, Senators Rob Portman (OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Senate companion of the bill.

“Public court records belong to the public – and finding and acquiring them should be both easy and without undue cost,” said Rep. Issa. “The truth is, the PACER system is also antiquated and impractical, which creates undue burdens for too many Americans. Reform is long overdue.”

“Modernizing and streamlining the federal courts’ records system and eliminating the PACER paywall is long overdue,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Open Courts Act levels the playing field for the public and the press by making court records as widely available as possible. How much money you have should not dictate your access to justice. This bill is bipartisan, bicameral, commonsense good government at its best.”

“PACER was intended to create a level playing field for small-time litigants, small business, civil society, journalists, and citizens who care about transparency in government,” said Senator Portman. “However, with its frustrating interface and fees, PACER has done the opposite. The American people should have easy access to the court records of their country, and this bipartisan, bicameral legislation will fix the problem once and for all by putting in place a free, streamlined system with an emphasis on security, accessibility, affordability, and performance.”

Issa and 31 House Members Introduce Legislation to Support Gig Workers and Bolster the Independent Economy

On November 4, Congressman Darrell Issa introduced legislation to safeguard the gig economy and defend economic opportunity for the millions of skilled Americans that make their living working independently. Rideshare drivers, graphic and interior designers, marketing specialists, accountants and technology experts are among the numerous categories of gig workers.

“With this bill, we are standing with millions of gig workers and defending them from hostile politicians that want to block their rights and extinguish their jobs,” said Congressman Issa. “Dismissed by some as part-timers undeserving of our support, these hardworking men and women are independent by choice and nothing less than a fundamental foundation of American commerce. They need our help more than ever.”

Rep. Issa was joined by 31 House colleagues supporting his legislation. The bill is also endorsed by TechNet, the nationwide and bipartisan network of tech CEOs and leading executives that promotes the growth of the innovation economy.

“Gig workers have been essential in powering America during the pandemic and play an increasingly important role in our nation’s economic success,” said Peter Chandler, Vice President, Federal Policy and Government Relations, TechNet. ”Americans from all walks of life value the flexibility and increased opportunities provided by the gig economy. We applaud Representative Issa for recognizing how important gig workers are to the U.S. economy and the vital services they offer in communities across the country.”

Issa Opposes Multi-Trillion Democrat Spending Bill
“It doesn’t build anything. It destroys”

Reported on November 5

“What Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats are doing today does not build. It destroys.

“Americans are paying more at the pump and seeing fewer goods on the shelf. Small businesses are struggling to hire employees and millions have given up looking for work. More illegal migrants than ever have breached our borders. Divisive vaccine mandates are forcing thousands of nurses, teachers, police officers and other first responders off their jobs. Hundreds of Americans woke up today still abandoned in Afghanistan, on the run, hiding their families, desperate to get home, and bewildered how President Biden betrayed them.

“The thousands of pages of this rushed and reckless legislation were negotiated in bad faith, drafted overnight behind closed doors, break the Democrats’ own procedural rules, and will be passed by the most partisan vote in memory. This may be the biggest and most expensive bill in history, but not one line on any page will solve this Administration’s nonstop crises nor help the Americans victimized by them. It will make it even worse.

“My late friend, colleague, and loyal Democrat Elijah Cummings was fond of saying: The Congress is better than this.

Not today it wasn’t.”

Issa Statement on Federal Court Halting Biden Vaccine Mandate

Reported on November 6

“Thankfully, the 5th Circuit has granted temporary reprieve from the Biden Administration’s illegal COVID vaccine workplace mandate. Final determinative judgment can’t come soon enough as this mandate will force personal health outcomes on 84 million Americans while costing businesses an average of nearly $25,000 in compliance costs next year.  The court is correct to note the grave statutory and constitutional issues that underly this order, which is why I am supportive of Congress taking definitive action to protect American workers, businesses, non-profits and religious organizations from Washington overreach.

“The vaccines produced in record time thanks to the private sector and Operation Warp Speed are extraordinary tools to fight COVID. According to the CDC, more than 193 million Americans are already fully vaccinated, and it is widely available to vulnerable populations. Americans should continue to inform themselves and make the health choices that are right for them.”

Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 50th Congressional District, is a senior member on the House Judiciary Committee, and is ranking member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. The 50th 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.