Congressman Issa Launches Program to Give Surplus Books to Local Schools

On February 14, Congressman Darrell Issa launched the 50^th District surplus book program by personally delivering 200 editions to Temecula Middle School students. The distribution was the first of many to occur across the San Diego and southwest Riverside communities as part of the Congressman Issa’s partnership with the Library of Congress’s National Book Surplus Program.

“A book can provide a lifelong love of reading. That’s why I’m honored to work with the Library of Congress to provide hundreds of books to Temecula Middle School. This program brings materials from our nation’s grandest library to schools across our community,” said Issa. “I’m grateful to the leadership at Temecula Middle School for allowing me to visit – especially gathering with the bright and inspiring book club students who joined me in reading and learning. It was an unforgettable afternoon.”

Any school, library or non-profit in the 50^th Congressional District that is interested in learning more about Congressman Issa’s Library of Congress Surplus Book Program, please contact Issa staff member Chris Mika at 760-304-7575 or visit Congressman Issa’s website HERE.

Issa, Foreign Affairs Republicans, Mark Six Months Since Fall of Kabul

On February 15, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) joined all GOP members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and issued the following statement in recognition of six months since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

“Six months ago, the fall of Kabul exposed the extent to which the Biden Administration was unprepared for the conditions on the ground in front of them and unwilling to be honest about the catastrophe that President Biden alone set in motion,” said Issa.

“Six months ago also saw the onset of President Biden’s signature betrayal of the American citizens he abandoned in Afghanistan after pledging that he wouldn’t. While the White House has worked to turn the page on its scandal, the truth is it never stopped turning its back on those they were sworn to keep safe and bring home.”

Congressman Issa Meets with Utility Companies to Address Skyrocketing Consumer Rates

On February 17, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) brought together representatives from SoCalGas, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric to his district headquarters to receive a comprehensive briefing on repeated ratepayer increases and recent skyrocketing utility rates. He also raised concerns raised by numerous constituents who have borne the brunt of higher costs throughout this year.

“California’s energy market is a flawed and failing mashup that has also tried to force a Green New Deal agenda on consumers – with the inevitable result that the public gets to pay for the preferred policies of activists,” said Issa.

“Solar and other renewables are worthy sources of energy that can benefit the state, but California is hampered by an inefficient energy market in which the state pays to offload excess power, while at other times importing as much as 30 percent of the supply we need. In its current form, this not a healthy marketplace, and no one is suffering more than consumers who can afford it the least.”

“California needs to take an honest look at the energy system it has created, and this day’s conversation was certainly a start. But we need innovation and action if we are going to provide consumers an energy system they can rely on, believe in, and afford.”

Statement by Congressman Issa Following Invasion of Ukraine

On February 24, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement after the invasion of Ukraine:

“This is a disastrous day for free nations everywhere and a direct assault by tyranny and aggression that will compel the world to take notice.

“This is also a defining moment for the Biden Administration, which has manifestly failed to bolster a coalition of allies and partners to keep and secure the peace. At this time, the credibility of this White House is on the line, and we need the kind of of leadership from the President that we clearly have yet to see.

“America should stand with Ukraine and its people in their hour of need. They are not alone in this fight.

“America and NATO are being tested. And at this moment, they are failing that test.”

Congressman Issa, Deutch Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Access to Federal Rules

On February 25, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) was joined by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and introduced the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act (Pro Codes Act), which would protect public access to important federal rules and regulations.

“Standards in federal rules and regulations matter, and never more so than when they are at the inflection point of streamlining public access – or hindering it,” said Rep. Issa. “The guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association are vital, and this legislation represents the spirit of the private sector, promotes transparency in standard setting, and ensures the public can access the rules they are being asked to follow.”

“The Pro Codes Act is a win for transparency and public safety,” said Rep. Ted Deutch. “Vital information contained in codes must remain free and available to the public. At the same time, we must reward investments made by standards development organizations. This legislation will protect the copyright of codes when they have been incorporated by reference.”

As more codes get incorporated by reference into legal standards by courts, the Pro Codes Act will protect a code or standard’s incorporation by ensuring the copyright doesn’t extinguish. The bill ensures that the public retains free access to the information. Just as some online services have a free version of their product with limited functionality and a paid premium version with greater functionality, under this bill, those that invest in code development will still be able to sell the materials in certain formats so long as they are simultaneously providing access to the information for free.

Issa Co-Hosts San Diego Fentanyl Roundtable; Calls for Urgent Action to Address National Crisis

On March 4, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) formally addressed a policy roundtable that included county, state, and federal officials and outlined his strategies and solutions to address the nation’s worsening fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl is a factor in more than half of all overdose deaths, and fatally poisons someone every eight minutes.

“Fentanyl is not a new danger. But the deadly threat it poses has now reached every corner of our country and no community is being spared,” said Issa. “Today’s conversation was both informative and emotional, and highlighted just how monumental the fentanyl challenge is for all of us.

The discussion was convened by San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, and included San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, as well as officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s office.

Congressman Issa is also a cosponsor of 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.

“At the federal level, we are taking action and developing the legal framework that simply does not exist at this time. But we must also make clear that President Biden’s policy of open borders has meant open access to fentanyl – with unprecedented deadly results.”

Congressman Issa to Host Informational Webinar on the IRS Tax Filing Process

On March 7, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced his office will host a free webinar with representatives of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide important details and key information about the tax filing process and upcoming deadlines.

“The tax filing process can be difficult and strenuous, so my team and I worked to connect IRS professionals with constituents so they can have their questions answered and benefit from their expertise,” said Issa. “The IRS has an obligation to assist taxpayers, and this is an ideal opportunity to discuss the steps, deadlines, and documents needed to properly complete one’s taxes.”

To register for this year’s webinar, please click HERE.

Issa: Biden’s energy crisis is getting worse and every American is paying more

On March 8, Congressman Darrell Issa issued the following statement:

“President Biden’s remarks today were defensive, divisive and, quite frankly, dishonest. He did not in any way advance the national interest or our international standing. Restricting Russian energy imports – long after my colleagues and I called on him to do so – won’t solve the current crisis.

“It is simply not true that this Administration is doing all it can to lessen the pain that Americans are feeling at the pump, from their utility bills to their inflation-battered pocketbooks. And it is unacceptable that President Biden seeks to leave Americans holding the bag for skyrocketing prices that he – and he alone – set in motion.

“The truth is, the Biden Administration had already plunged this country into an energy crisis before Vladimir Putin mobilized soldiers for this invasion of Ukraine. From his first days in office, President Biden stopped advanced energy infrastructure and sent an unmistakable message to the energy industry: no to pipelines, no to drilling, no to the financing of oil and gas projects. This was a stunning reversal of the energy independence policies that were working when he took office as oil production exceeded consumption for most of 2019 and 2020.

“How can this Administration beg Venezuela and OPEC for more oil, when American states can increase output here at home? This White House is too captive to its progressive base and too invested in its Green New Deal promises to turn to the kind of American innovation that can help us now.

“We need President Biden to address the nation with solutions tomorrow. He certainly didn’t do that today.”

ICYMI: Rep. Fox News Op-Ed – Biden a bystander on Ukraine, energy and inflation crises

“There is no substitute for presidential action, and Biden has been a bystander long enough”

On March 10, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) published an op-ed for FoxNews.com illustrating how President Biden has remained an ineffective bystander throughout the Ukraine conflict, which has dramatically worsened his disastrous record on inflation and our domestic energy supply.

The full op-ed can be viewed HERE or below:

Biden a bystander on Ukraine, energy and inflation crises

by Congressman Darrell Issa
The Ukraine crisis may be a story of Russian aggression, but the preamble is the Biden administration’s total failure to strengthen America industrially and economically, rally the West, bolster NATO, and deter Vladimir Putin.

Weeks of sanction threats didn’t stop Putin. Rather, President Biden’s teleprompter sermons provided time for the amassing of offensive forces on the Ukraine border.

I attended the Munich Security Conference in late February, along with a bipartisan array of my House and Senate colleagues. The administration was there, too, but provided nothing close to definitive policy. The clearest statements they made publicly or privately were that if you are an American citizen in Ukraine and find yourself trapped in a war zone, well, you’re on your own.

The culmination of this White House’s missteps: A 65-minute phone call between Biden and Putin. Less than two weeks later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine and the killing began.

Biden’s response? A lot of words. Some at high volume. Others at a low whisper. But the out-loud contemplation of sanctions is a poor substitute for leading the nation and world.

Many thought the State of the Union Address would be different. It wasn’t. It was empty cheerleading. Take Biden’s full-throated assurance that Putin “will never gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people.”

We know he meant to say “Ukrainian” people. But the statement makes no more sense with the correction. Who can possibly think at this point that Putin is trying to win the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people? He’s trying to take their country and their freedom.

I’ve attended 17 State of the Union addresses. I’ve never seen one that was followed by less action from a White House. It’s now been seven days since Biden’s national address. No legislation. No Cabinet-level Hill consultation. No bipartisan White House gathering.

This brings us to Tuesday’s announcement by President Biden to restrict Russian energy imports weeks after my colleagues and I urged him to do so. The policy move is fine, but his remarks were defensive, divisive and, quite frankly, dishonest.

He did not in any way advance the national interest or our international standing. And it is simply not true – as he said – that this administration is doing all it can to lessen the pain that Americans are feeling at the pump, from their utility bills, and in their inflation-battered pocketbooks.

It’s dishonest for the White House to link the inflation its policies skyrocketed – and the gas prices it drove up just as fast – to the crisis in Ukraine. This is a naked attempt to offload its failures onto what it hopes will be a sharing of blame with others.

The truth is, the Biden administration had already plunged this country into an energy crisis before Putin mobilized soldiers for this invasion of Ukraine. From his first days in office, President Biden stopped energy infrastructure and sent an unmistakable message to the energy industry: no to pipelines, no to drilling, no to the financing of oil and gas projects. This was a stunning reversal of the energy independence policies that were working when he took office as oil production exceeded consumption for most of 2019 and 2020.

Has the White House looked to our country for a solution? Just the opposite. It is beseeching OPEC and Venezuela to produce more crude. Is Iran next? The administration repeatedly suggests the use of renewables that have no capacity to help us right now and for struggling consumers to buy the electric cars they can’t afford.

It’s a shame that this White House is so captive to its progressive base and invested in its Green New Deal promises to turn to the best of America.

The Congress stands ready to support real measures. But the only administration source heading to the Hill this week is the State Department’s undersecretary for political affairs. Not the secretary of state. Not the national security adviser. Not the secretary of defense.

And yet again, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has scheduled a short work week in Washington so the Democrats can get out of town and attend their team-building retreat.

Enough. There is no substitute for presidential action, and Biden has been a bystander long enough. Here’s hoping President Biden will address the nation soon with depth, insight and solutions. He certainly hasn’t done it yet.

Issa Introduces Bill to Stop Biden Administration Plan to Provide Detained Illegal Immigrants with Private Housing

On March 11, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) introduced the No Alternatives to Detention for Illegals Act to halt the Biden Administration’s plan to end the detention of illegal immigrants and provide them with taxpayer-funded housing — starting in Baltimore and Houston.

“In his State of the Union address, President Biden called for securing our southern border — but he clearly didn’t mean it,” said Issa. “Ending illegal immigrant detention and replacing it with publicly funded private housing is a dangerous mistake and only a continuation of this Administration’s disastrous open borders policies.”

The full text of the bill can be found 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.