Congressman Issa Questions Marine Commandant on Biden Vaccine Mandate

Calls for USMC’s transparency on reported religious accommodations

On January 17, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) sent a letter to General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), with questions regarding the shortfall of information and specifics pertaining to the recent purported approval of religious accommodations to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“President Biden’s military vaccine mandate is a counterproductive mistake to impose on our men and women in uniform,” said Rep. Issa. “That’s why dozens of service members have reached out to my office searching for help and revealing the troubling details of this destructive mandate. I won’t stop fighting for these troops.”

To view a full copy of the letter, click HERE.

“This mandate is causing incalculable harm to force readiness, troop morale, and our national security,” said Issa. “Our service members deserve to know the critical circumstances that lead to the USMC’s approval of these religious accommodation requests, so they too may fully consider how to include complete details involving their own unique cases.”

Issa’s letter follows Marine Corps data showing two recent approvals for religious accommodation requests regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, the first of its kind for any service.

Rep. Issa has been a vocal opponent of the Biden mandate, publishing an op-ed in Fox News outlining the full scope of his opposition for all of our active-duty military, in addition to the National Guard and Reserve forces. Issa offered an amendment to floor legislation to prevent funding to be used to enforce the mandate for Guard and Reserve forces.

He also created a portal on his website for service men and women being threatened with discharge from the military. Hundreds of military personnel have been in contact with Rep. Issa’s office seeking assistance.

Issa, Connolly Launch Congressional IT Modernization Caucus

On January 20, Representatives Darrell Issa (CA-50) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) launched the bipartisan Congressional IT Modernization Caucus to bring new awareness to the need of federal government to embrace technology, analytics, and innovation to better deliver services to the American public.

“Our nation should not be satisfied only with a leading position in global IT modernization. America must instead commit to the pinnacle of invention, innovation, and discovery,” said Issa. “This is the best way to meet and exceed competition from China and safeguard our technological independence. This bipartisan caucus has a key role to play.”

“The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the consequence of this inaction from the Small Business Administrations’ loan processing system crashing multiple times to the state of Connecticut website not handling more than 8,300 unemployment applications,” said Connolly. “It has become abundantly clear that to generate the necessary resilience against future crises effectively, governments at all levels must fully embrace cutting-edge technology and data analytics.”

The Congressional IT Modernization Caucus will bring together federal policymakers and private enterprises to break through barriers and modernize federal IT to meet the emerging and continued demands of the 21st century. The Caucus will also address IT modernization challenges across government as well as educating other Members on subjects of interest regarding federal IT.

Issa and Connolly are the co-authors of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), the first major federal IT modernization effort in more than 20 years. Since becoming law, FITARA has dramatically reformed the practice of acquiring and managing information technology systems across 24 federal agencies, saving taxpayers more than $20 billion and improving the security of federal IT systems.

Issa Votes to Improve Veterans Access to VA Healthcare System

On January 20, after voting in favor of H.R. 4673, the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act (EVEST) Act, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement:

“I’m proud to announce my support of the EVEST Act to make it easier for veterans to access the Veterans Affairs health system,” said Rep. Issa. “Veterans have earned this benefit, and it is our duty to tear down bureaucratic barriers to its use. In doing so, it is my hope that we can help reduce the risk of suicide, tackle chronic pain challenges, and other ailments that are too common among former servicemembers.”

The Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act (EVEST) will provide automatic enrollment in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) for all eligible service members’ transition out of service.

Issa Condemns California’s Continuing War on Parents

“SB 866 is only the latest attack on parents and their children”

On January 25, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement about California State Senate Bill 866, which would allow minors as young as 12 to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters shots without parental consent.

“Recent trends in which politicians and school officials undermine and overtake the decision making of parents are completely unacceptable. SB 866 seeks to prevent parents from making the right decisions for their children and would allow 12-year-olds to receive medical treatment that they may not know is harmful to their health.

“Over the last two years, California leaders have closed our schools, sports, and businesses, while forcibly masking our children. Will they now jab them without asking their parents first? Governor Newsom must oppose this insult to California’s parents.”

Issa Sends Letter to Biden Administration Demanding Investigation of Recent Terrorist Attack

On January 26, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) has sent a letter to Secretaries Blinken and Mayorkas as well as Attorney General Garland calling for an investigation into the actions of the Biden Administration that allowed terrorist Malik Faisal Akram to enter the U.S. and conduct his attack on a Dallas synagogue.

“President Biden’s reckless open border policies have facilitated unprecedented illegal immigration into the country. But that’s not all. Open borders also lay the groundwork for terror and trafficking, as well as put American lives at risk,” said Rep. Issa. “If an investigation into this terrorist attack is not properly conducted, future terror attacks become more of an inevitability than a possibility.”

The full letter can be viewed HERE.

Issa Makes Case in Judiciary Committee for Legislation to Compensate Artists for Radio Airplay

On February 2, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) participated in a House Judiciary Committee hearing and advocated support for his legislation the American Music Fairness Act.

“Every musical artist who first picked up a drumstick, or sang in front of a mirror, or wrote a lyric from the heart did so because they were inspired by music and wanted to share. That is their gift to us. They are the true owners of what they made. We need to protect their rights.”

Congressmen Issa and Deutch (FL-22) introduced the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act last summer. This legislation would extend the scope of public performance rights in sound recordings to terrestrial broadcast (AM/FM radio) performances.

Issa Leads Challenge to End Funding for Military Vaccine Mandate

On February 2, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) and 14 of his House Republican colleagues sent a letter to House Committee on Appropriations Chairwoman DeLauro to urge the prohibition of President Biden’s controversial military vaccine mandate in this year’s spending bills.

“The Biden military vaccine mandate is a destructive mistake that is ruining troop morale, negating force readiness, and destroying the lives of our best and bravest,” said Issa. “Hundreds of active-duty service members have reached out to my office fearful for their future. This mandate must be stopped before it does even more damage.”

The full letter to Chairwoman DeLauro can be viewed HERE.

Rep. Issa has been a leading opponent of the Biden mandate, publishing an op-ed in Fox News outlining the full scope of his opposition for all of our active-duty military, in addition to the National Guard and Reserve forces. Issa offered an amendment to floor legislation to prevent funding to be used to enforce the mandate for Guard and Reserve forces.

He also created a portal on his website for service men and women being threatened with discharge from the military. Hundreds of military personnel have been in contact with Rep. Issa’s office seeking assistance.

Issa, McCarthy Lead California GOP Members in Opposition to Child COVID Vaccination Without Parental Consent

On February 3, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) was joined by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and the California GOP Delegation in sending a letter to the leaders of the California State Legislature opposing Senate Bill 866, which would allow minors between the ages of 12 to 17 to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots without parental consent.

“California and its Democratic leaders have relentlessly undermined, disregarded, and attacked parent’s rights,” said Issa. “Mothers and fathers are silenced at school board meetings, forced to mask their kids, and now may face the risk of their children being jabbed without their knowledge or consent. This extreme legislation is a further insult to parents in California and, quite frankly, across the country.”

The full letter from the California GOP Delegation can be viewed HERE.

Congressman Issa also independently wrote a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to oppose SB 866. That letter can be viewed HERE.

Issa Tackles Supply Chain Crisis with Legislation that Passes the House

On February 7, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement after passage of his amendment by the House of Representatives. The Issa legislation requires the Department of Commerce to report to Congress outlining policy changes that can be implemented within 30 days to address the continuing supply chain crisis.

“This Administration can do far more than it has to solve the supply chain crisis that is impacting our nation every day,” said Issa. “My amendment is specifically crafted to emphasize the need for immediate solutions that will get our ports moving again with ships unloaded, product distributed, and shelves restocked.”

The full text of the amendment can be viewed HERE.

Issa: Biden Administration to Blame for America’s Current Fentanyl Crisis

Congressman Cosponsors Legislation to Stop Deadly Fentanyl Scourge

On February 8, Representative Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced he is cosponsoring the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT) Act, which would permanently classify fentanyl as Schedule I, in the same category as LSD and Ecstasy, and remove regulations that stifle research on other Schedule I substances.

“Fentanyl is not a new danger. But the deadly threat it poses has now reached every corner of our country. This has everything to do with the open borders policies President Biden imposed on day one of his term that has allowed an unprecedented supply of this drug to enter the homeland and devastate families and communities,” said Issa.

“My district has not been spared. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin reports that in 2021, fentanyl claimed more than 400 lives in the county – compared with two the year before. I will continue to stand with DA Hestrin and all the local leaders who know this must be a top priority for the nation.”

“Because this Administration won’t act, it’s up to the Congress to take this on. The HALT Fentanyl Act is the essential response that’s needed right now to find answers and save lives. I look forward to the Congress advancing this bill and making this legislation a reality.”

Issa Sides with Taxpayers, Opposes Massive Post Office Bailout

On February 9, Representative Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act.

“The Post Office provides an essential function, and it is in our national interest that it succeed. But the Post Office hasn’t broken even since 2006, this is unfair to the American people, and everyone who has a mailbox knows it,” said Issa.

“In 2020 under the CARES Act, Congress provided $10 billion in emergency funding. In FY2020, the Postal Service lost $13 billion, and is projected to lose $22 billion over the coming 18 months. This bill forgives $46 billion in debts owed by the Postal Service and forces the taxpayer to pick up the tab.”

“I oppose this bill because we need reform, not rhetoric. As this bailout spills even more red ink on the Post Office balance sheet, it asks the taxpayers to clean it up.”

Issa Co-Leads Bipartisan Effort to Help Move San Onofre Fuel Off Site

On February 9, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced he is co-leading with Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) the Spent Fuel Prioritization Act to help move spent fuel away from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).The legislation is supported by Representatives Scott Peters (CA-52), Michelle Steel (CA-48) , Katie Porter (CA-45), and Young Kim (CA-39). The bill will modernize the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and require the federal government to consider factors including facility closure, proximity to population, and seismic threats when planning for removal of spent fuel for transport to permanent federal off-site storage facilities.

“Our Southern California communities deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing that spent fuel is no longer stored at the facility,” Rep. Issa said.

Rep. Issa has long offered solutions to concerns about the spent fuel as a risk to area residents and communities as well as to the adjacent Camp Pendleton U.S. Marine Corps base.  In 2017 he introduced the Interim Consolidated Storage Act, to speed the removal of waste and spent fuel at SONGS to interim consolidates storage facilities.

“For too long, the question of spent fuel storage has been held hostage and prevented closure and moving to the next chapter for facilities like SONGS and also stymied the push to look to nuclear power, when well-managed and executed, as a long-term source of clean energy when the fuel is handled safely and stored away from people, installations and the threat of natural disaster.”

Issa to Craft Legislation to Stop Biden Administration Plan to End Illegal Immigrant Detention, Provide Them Private Housing

On February 10, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement in response to reports that the Biden Administration is planning to end the legal detention of illegal immigrants in federal custody and place them in homes in Baltimore and Houston.

“From his first day in office, President Biden made clear he has no interest in safeguarding our southern borders, stemming the unprecedented illegal crossings, or addressing the devastating human trafficking and fentanyl supply that are destroying more lives every day,” said Issa.

“Ending the detention of illegal migrants in custody and placing them in private housing at taxpayer expense is an insult to the American people and will make this Biden crisis even worse.

“I am now developing legislation to stop this clearly inappropriate use of federal funding and address the outrageous conduct of those sworn to uphold our laws and safeguard America’s homeland.”

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.