NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA

Congressmen Issa, Mast to State Department:

Stop Blocking the Truth About Biden’s Afghanistan Disaster

“Our response is simple: The cover-up is over.”

On May 25, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) issued the following statement as the Biden State Department continues to defy a Congressional subpoena and refuse to provide a report proving that the Biden Administration ignored warnings that its Afghanistan policy was an impending disaster. Rep. Issa is also a member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability on which Rep. Mast serves as Chairman.

“While it is common knowledge that the Biden Administration – specifically its State Department – long ago “turned the page” on its disaster in Afghanistan, the country and the Congress have not. The American people and their representatives deserve answers as to how and why so many in this Administration got this so wrong and in so many catastrophic ways.

“The issue at hand is the document known as a “Dissent Channel” cable, which was written by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan in 2021. We know that this document describes in real-time detail that the Biden State Department was warned its Afghanistan policy was untenable.

“We further know that the Biden Administration did next to nothing in response as our position in Afghanistan collapsed, billions worth of American equipment was abandoned, and 13 of our brave soldiers were killed in the chaos that inevitably followed.

“That’s why the State Department is defying a valid Congressional subpoena and not allowing all the Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to read the dissent cable.

“It is easy to understand why the entire Biden Administration has been covering up this information. But our response is simple: The cover-up is over.

“To the veterans of our Afghanistan mission and their families who sacrificed beyond measure, and the Americans that President Biden abandoned after promising he wouldn’t, State’s denial is a refusal to acknowledge the truth and a cowardly attempt to sidestep responsibility.

“Enough is enough. The Administration must comply with a Congressional subpoena. And the American people must finally know the full measure of President’s catastrophic failure and the truth of what happened.”

Congressman Issa Congratulates Winner of

2023 Congressional Art Competition

On May 31, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) announced that Murrieta Canyon Academy senior Hallie Maronde is the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 48th District. Hallie’s winning entry is entitled “Sketchy Tune,” which was drawn using graphite pencils.

“We are eager to have Hallie’s art represent the 48th District in this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Rep. Issa. “Her artistic talent produced a visually striking work, and I hope that it is viewed throughout our home region and in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be displayed for the next year.”

“Sketchy Tune” captures in vivid detail a barely visible violinist playing as the four-stringed instrument is held with the left side set on the chinrest and a bow is drawn across the strings.

Hallie’s art instructor is Christopher Napolitano.

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school student art competition to encourage and recognize artistic talent throughout the country. Students from the 48th Congressional District submit entries for consideration and the winning entry is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Additionally, the winner is invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C.

Issa Praises Local Common-Sense Approach

to Homelessness in San Diego Region

Current opposition to “Housing First” mirrors Issa’s initial 2017 call for reform

On June 2, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) praised local leaders for recognizing common-sense approaches to homelessness and opposing policies that are currently failing those in need throughout the San Diego region.

“For years, we have called on the federal government to allow the local flexibility needed to address homelessness – while insisting that individuals must be sober and prepared for the housing options that are available,” said Rep. Issa. “It is working right now in Coronado, and there is no reason why we should not pursue similar success throughout the San Diego region.”

Rep. Issa specifically pointed to a 2017 letter co-signed by 21 of his GOP House colleagues that called on the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stop penalizing homeless programs that refuse to stop drug-testing their clients.

“This is one of the worst examples of Washington’s we-know-better-than-you mentality and is just the kind of top-down mandates we need to be rid of,” Issa said about U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s past support of the “housing first” model over programs such as Solutions for Change in Vista.

Issa further noted that the City of Coronado has offered a “three-step” approach that has shown results:

1. Use real-time data to show where shelter beds are available so the homeless can be pointed in the direction of the correct services.
2. Having elected leaders vote on policies that require treatment services to get into shelters.
3. Proactive law enforcement. Coronado police will intervene if someone is setting up an encampment or using drugs in public.

“The objections that my colleagues and I made to rigid homelessness policies years ago are as valid as ever. It is good that local officials are following this lead and recognizing solutions that are working,” said Issa. “We are eager to work on the necessary federal component of this very serious challenge to our entire community.”

Issa Joins House Colleagues LaHood and Dingell Imploring Biden Administration to Help End Lebanon’s Presidential Vacancy

“Administration should emphatically restate the importance of selecting

a president who will represent the needs of the Lebanese people.”

On June 14, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) joined Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-16) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) in writing a letter to Secretary of State Blinken expressing their significant concerns that “Lebanon’s constitutional processes have stalled, resulting in multiple failed parliamentary electoral sessions and a continued presidential vacancy.” All three Members of Congress are also Co-Chairs of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus.

The letter states: “The United States has a strong interest in a stable, independent Lebanon. Unfortunately, the presidential vacancy stands in the way of such cooperation. If Parliamentary leaders and other political elites are unable to follow through on Lebanon’s own constitution, preserve a quorum, and allow the multiple rounds of balloting necessary for the selection of a president, the United States and our partners and allies in the region must consider more serious measures.”

Following Lebanon’s failure to elect a president earlier today, the Co-Chairs added:

“We are deeply disappointed by the continued disputes that have once again prevented a second round of balloting and consequently the election of a new president for Lebanon. We will continue to watch closely and urge continued action that will support the people of Lebanon during this ongoing impasse.”

The letter can be found HERE.

Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 48th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and eastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, Poway, Temecula, Murrieta, 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.