News from Congressman Darrell Issa
Rep. Issa Joined by Rep. Wilson, Colleagues in Demanding Oversight Hearings on Iranian Human Rights Abuses
On November 14,Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) released the following statement after calling on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to immediately hold a hearing on the human rights abuses occurring in Iran. Issa led with Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), and they were joined by fellow committee members Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02), Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-01), Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39):
“In numbers not seen for decades, the brave people of Iran are lifting their voices and publicly standing up to one of the world’s most brutal and repressive regimes. They are demanding their fundamental freedoms, and risking their very lives,” said Rep. Issa. “Many of them have already paid the ultimate price, and there is no better time for the House Foreign Affairs Committee to investigate Iran’s shocking human rights abuses, show the world the truth of what is happening there, and hold accountable the Mullahs of Iran. We must immediately convene an oversight hearing to shine light on this critical matter.”
The letter in part reads, “For seven weeks, brave men and women in Iran have tirelessly protested the oppressive regime, which was sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was beaten to death while in custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly. Congress has been out of session for two months, and during that time, Iran has attempted to stop the protests with increasingly brutal force that has reportedly resulted in the death of more than 272 protestors, including 39 children. Nearly 14,000 are being detained.”
The letter continues, “As men and women in Iran show indomitable courage in the face of Iran’s security forces, the Committee should immediately hold an open oversight hearing with top Administration officials, as well as a hearing to debate and mark up the bipartisan pieces of legislation addressing the human rights abuses and terrorism activities perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Issa is also a cosponsor of H.Con.Res 110 commending the bravery and courage of Iranian demonstrators and H.Res.1397 condemning the Government of Iran’s torturous murder of Mahsa Amini.
The letter can be read HERE.
Statement by Congressman Issa Following End of Nancy Pelosi Speakership
On November 17,Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) released the following statement:
“Nancy Pelosi was a formidable and consequential Speaker of the House — but her reign was not often one of consensus building and she leaves the institution in difficult condition as well as in need of a return to its best traditions.
“The voters removed Pelosi’s grip from the Speaker’s gavel and gave it to a GOP majority that now must lead in a new and better way.
“The House must be a deliberative body in which Members freely express their ideas, offer their alternatives, have them heard, and, ultimately, voted on. This must follow the end of the Pelosi speakership.”
Congressman Issa Statement Following Judiciary Committee Unanimous Vote for American Music Fairness Act
On December 8, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) made the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of Congressman Issa’s American Music Fairness Act:
“For more than a century, the creators of musical content have gone uncompensated, even as their art has been listened to, danced to, downloaded, and enjoyed year after year,” said Rep. Issa.
“Today, bipartisan consensus made history and delivered the right outcome for artists, and it is now time for all sides to come together and move forward. This vote was an important step and has set the stage for continued work that must be done.”
For decades, American terrestrial radio stations have not been required to compensate performers when they play their music – making the United States one of the only developed countries in the world with these outdated laws. The American Music Fairness Act closes this loophole and requires broadcasters, with an exemption for small stations making less than $1.5 million per year, to pay artists when using their work.
Issa to U.S. Technology Companies: Pledge to Uphold Free Speech, Don’t Tip Political Scale
On December 8, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) released the following statement after publishing an open letter to America’s technology companies calling for their commitment to uphold free speech and “not put their thumb on the political scale.”
“Technology companies wield unprecedented power—and for too long, they have abused this power to control information on their platforms,” said Rep. Issa. “It is time for America’s technology companies to make a commitment to the American people to uphold free speech, not favored speech.”
Read Congressman Issa’s letter HERE.
Issa to Defense Secretary Austin: Immediately Halt Punishing Servicemembers Through Your Vaccine Mandate
Calls on Pentagon Chief to “Choose duty, honor, and country over divisive, partisan politics.”
On December 9, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) disclosed a letter he wrote to Defense Secretary Austin calling for an immediate halt to enforcement actions of the military vaccine mandate, which will be prohibited 30 days after the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act that has now passed both the House and Senate.
In the letter, Rep. Issa wrote: “Thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and guardsmen – and their families – have been negatively impacted by this harmful and divisive policy. There has also been generational damage done, the full extent of which is not yet known. You can begin to repair the damage that has been done by reinstating those who wish to return to service after being forced out because of refusing the vaccine. I urge you, at this crossroads, to choose duty, honor, and country over divisive, partisan politics.”
Also last week, Rep. Issa stated that the pending rollback of the mandate was insufficient and “The Pentagon can’t repeal this terrible idea without a commitment to repair for the damage it has done.”
Read Congressman Issa’s letter HERE.
Issa and Bost Introduce Bill Capping Attorney Fees for Camp Lejeune Victims
“Time to put Marines and their families first,” says Issa.
On December 14, Congressman Darrell Issa, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and Congressman Mike Bost, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statements after introducing the Camp Lejeune Veterans and Families Protection Act. The legislation would limit the fees attorneys can charge veterans and families seeking awards under the Camp Lejeune Federal Cause of Action:
“While the PACT Act was a step forward for veterans affected by the water crisis at Camp Lejeune, it also opened the door for unscrupulous attorneys to prey on desperate victims and engage in lawsuit abuse,” said Rep. Issa. “As a result, millions of dollars could go to predatory law firms, rather than deserving Marines and their families. I’m thankful for Rep. Bost’s leadership on this issue and I’m proud to join my colleagues by authoring H.R. 9430.”
The previously passed Honoring Our PACT Act established the ability for any individuals affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 to sue the United States for health damages. The legislation introduced by Reps. Issa and Bost would prohibit attorneys from charging more than 25 percent of a settlement amount in these suits to protect veterans from predatory legal firms and fees.
“Our Camp Lejeune veterans and their families have tolerated enough. The last thing they should have to endure is high legal fees to have their day in court,” said Ranking Member Bost. “As a Marine Corps veteran, I am proud to lead this bill with my friend Rep. Issa on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of families who were affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination crisis. I hope to get it through the House and signed into law as soon as possible.”
Veterans and their families with questions or who want to report fraud can contact the Department of Justice through the devoted CLJA hotline (202-353-4426) and email box (CampLejeune.PACTAct@usdoj.gov).
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
