ICYMI
Issa Drops the Hammer on Granholm for Attacks on Home Appliances

On September 18, in the most recent hearing of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) repeatedly questioned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on her department’s targeting of the most basic home appliances, which will render them more expensive and less available to Americans in every part of this country.

Following Granholm’s assurance that the DOE’s proposed rules merely “raise efficiency standards” and don’t eliminate any products, Rep. Issa stated:

“If your efficiency requests exceed the current technology, then they go away.”

In response to Secretary Granholm’s assertation that DOE’s proposed rules will increase efficiency and reduce cost to operate these appliances, Rep. Issa responded,

“It doesn’t always reduce cost, as you know. Many products actually cost more to operate because of the technical nature of them, so you save money on energy, but you spend money on maintenance and capital cost.”

Watch Rep. Issa’s full questioning here.

Issa Named to House Conference Committee by Speaker McCarthy

Issa Will Represent House of Representatives for 2024 National Defense Authorization Act

On September 19, Speaker Kevin McCarthy appointed Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) as a conferee on the House-Senate Conference Committee to resolve bicameral differences in the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Rep. Issa will represent the House Judiciary Committee as a Senior Member for the negotiations alongside other House Republicans.

“I thank Speaker McCarthy and look forward to working alongside my friends and colleagues to ensure that this year’s NDAA provides for our servicemembers, institutes needed reforms, and meets our critical needs for national defense,” said Rep. Issa.

Speaker McCarthy stated: “I’m proud to have such qualified leaders representing the House on the NDAA Conference Committee. This important committee is charged with ensuring our Department of Defense is focused on keeping America safe, cutting wasteful spending, combatting woke policies, and defending against our adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.”

The full list of conferees can be found here.

ICYMI
Issa Grills Garland on DOJ’s “Crisis of Confidence”

On September 20, Senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland on the weaponization of the current Justice Department and what he described as a “crisis of confidence” that has greatly damaged the DOJ.

“What this Garland testimony revealed to us is that the Attorney General realizes he is presiding over the Department of Justice in the most severe crisis since Watergate — with the shattered credibility to show for it,” said Issa. “The slow walk of the Hunter Biden investigation and the scandal of the DOJ’s attempted sweetheart immunity deal have taken a toll that no part of today’s testimony made better.”

See Rep. Issa’s full questioning of AG Garland here.

Issa, Boyle Introduce Passport Fee Waiver for First Responders
Reform legislation will slash passport fees for American personnel assisting disaster relief abroad.

On September 21, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-2) introduced H.R. 5620, the bipartisan First Responders Passport Act, to significantly reduce costs for first responders traveling abroad to assist in U.S. disaster relief efforts.

“The skilled and courageous men and women of elite American first responder teams showcase the best of our relief efforts on the international stage. That’s why we are reducing costs, so they can more easily and effectively serve wherever they are deployed,” said Rep. Issa. “We know that when disaster strikes, getting first responders quickly on the scene can make the critical difference between life and death. This legislation gives these emergency personnel a better way to do just that.”

Currently, USAID arranges for teams of first responders to be quickly deployed and assist with disaster response efforts around the world. To maintain their timely availability, these emergency personnel are required to hold up-to-date passports. As contractors, however, they are not eligible for fee-free diplomatic passports. H.R. 5620 would provide discretion to the Secretary of State to waive passport fees for these heroes responding to natural disasters overseas.

“Every year, American contractors and volunteers bravely go abroad to help victims of natural disasters in foreign lands. All too often, these individuals are subject to passport fees at their own expense when attempting to travel abroad to save lives. I am proud to have introduced this common-sense proposal with my colleague, Mr. Issa from California, because contractors and volunteers deserve the same treatment as government employees when they are sent abroad to offer their service on behalf of the American people,” said Congressman Boyle.

Original cosponsors include Rep. Garret Graves (LA-06), Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. James P. McGovern (MA-02), Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-06), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03).

The bill text can be found here.

Issa: Biden Border Crisis Has Gone from Historically Bad to Even Worse

September 22, In response to media reports detailing the Biden Administration’s development of ID cards for illegal immigrants and mass amnesty for over 400,000 Venezuelans, Judiciary Committee Senior Member Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) released the following statement:

“The Biden Administration inherited a border under control and a system of dealing with illegal migrants that was working. Our borders were then thrown open, which led directly to unprecedented illegal entry, human trafficking, and deadly fentanyl killing more than 100,000 Americans a year. The issuance of picture ID cards and mass amnesty for Venezuelan who entered illegally will only make this crisis even worse by legitimizing the breaking of our laws and exposing our homeland to a new national security crisis that this White House has in no way fully considered or explained.”

“Make no mistake: the next chapter of the Biden border disaster is here. It needs to be brought to a close, and Congress must act.”

Read more on the issue here.

ICYMI
Rep. Issa Wants Answers from Treasury Dept. About Financial Ties Between ActBlue, Anti-Semetic Group
“We need to know if our laws to prevent terror funding were broken.”

Posted on September 27. Correspondence from Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to the Treasury Department and the FBI was featured in a Washington Examiner exclusive report last week. The article outlined Rep. Issa’s serious concern that for several years, the nationwide Democrat fundraising platform ActBlue maintained a business relationship with an organization tied to terror funding.

The Examiner detailed that Rep. Issa is investigating reports that ActBlue provided material support to terrorism by working with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The West Bank-based group is the “face” of the BDS National Committee, which has included Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, a coalition represented by U.S.-designated terror groups, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Hamas.

Rep. Issa – a senior member of both the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committee – said: “The undeniable and continued collaboration between these two entities raises serious concerns of the enabling of terror-related activity and may also constitute money laundering crimes as well as violations of international law. It is also relevant that no part of the reporting from the Washington Examiner has been contradicted or denied by ActBlue.”

ICYMI
Issa wants answers from Newsom, Senate leaders on Butler’s Maryland residency
“The qualifications for U.S. Senators are not discretionary.”

Correspondence from Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) sent on October 2 to the leadership of the U.S. Senate is urging a full review of Laphonza Butler’s constitutional eligibility before any consideration of seating her to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. “The Senate has a solemn duty to consider and determine whether its Members meet the Constitutional requirements to serve in its body,” he said.

Rep. Issa also wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom, stating: “Of the tens of millions of Californians you could have chosen to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat, you apparently opted for a Maryland resident.”

Rep. Issa’s letters and urgent requests to the Senate were featured in a Fox News Digital exclusive report that outlined both his constitutional concerns and the fact “It appears Ms. Butler is not an elector of California as required by the California Elections Code, nor is she an inhabitant of that state as required by the U.S. Constitution. Indeed, recent reporting indicates that Ms. Butler lives in Maryland and listed her address as being in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Federal Election Commission filings this year. Ms. Butler is also currently registered to vote in Maryland,” he said.

Rep. Issa also posed several questions to Newsom that he requested be answered no later than this week.

“We’re talking about 38 million Californians who have an absolute right to have somebody who puts California first – not who puts Maryland first.”

House Approves Landmark Issa Amendment Targeting U.S. Science and Technology Collaboration with China
“It simply can no longer be technology shared – and then technology stolen”

On October 2, in a historic vote, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that begins the essential termination of the cornerstone agreement underpinning the vast array of science and technology collaboration between the U.S. and China. Over the years, this agreement has led directly to the widespread theft of American intellectual property and the loss of cutting-edge technology.

“It is clearer than ever that America must decouple the research and development of science and technology from China along with the associated network of programs and partnerships begun in a different time that have now become an economic and national security liability for this country,” said Rep. Issa.

The amendment blocks renewal of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Protocol Between the U.S. and China (STA), which would allow it to expire. Its passage also represents a critical milestone in decoupling America’s research apparatus with China. The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which passed the House 216-212 on September 30, 2023, will now head to the Senate for bicameral negotiations.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08) – Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party – added: “For years, thanks to its strategy of military-civil fusion, the Chinese Communist Party has abused the openness of the American scientific community to steal our research and coopt it for its own malign purposes, including to surveil the Chinese public and strengthen its military-industrial complex. Rep. Issa’s amendment sends a clear message to the PRC that it no longer deserves the benefits and honor of having a Science and Technology Agreement with the United States.”

“Bringing the STA to an end will send an unmistakable signal that America is taking seriously the full measure of the threat posed by the CCP, and its expiration will lead to even more reforms that reaffirm our national interest,” said Rep. Issa.

Text of the amendment can be found here.

Issa Endorses Jordan For Speaker

Posted on October 5

“The next Speaker of the House must lead and inspire our Republican majority, as well as organize and motivate our Members.

“The next Speaker must also bring to this Congress true governing principles with a clear and cogent way forward.

“These are difficult times – in practically every region of the world and in every corner of our country. America needs this Congress to help set this right by functioning as we know it can and carrying out our Constitutional duties.

“Jim Jordan is the best choice for Speaker because he will refocus our majority and galvanize our colleagues to do their work in the most effective and persuasive way.

“Jim has the respect and admiration of our fellow Republicans, he holds their trust, and he has earned their confidence. They know what he can do – and will do – if given this opportunity.

“Jim is the Speaker we need right now. He has my full support.”

Issa: “America Stands With Our Ally: Israel Must Win”

Posted on October 7.

“Israel is at war. Our ally is today the victim of a deadly and unprovoked terror attack from Hamas that has claimed dozens of innocent lives within its homeland.

“As throughout its 75 year history, another battle within Israel’s borders is now joined. America will stand with its friend, ally, and partner in every way and see Israel through another fight for its survival.

“Israel — the democracy of the Middle East — must win.

“Hamas — a cancer of the Middle East — must lose.”

Congressman Issa: Any Constituent or Family
Requiring Assistance in Israel Should Contact us ASAP

On October 7, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) reiterated that his District Offices in California are “fully capable and standing by” to assist any constituent or family in Israel and in need of assistance.

“Israel is at war and the conditions on the ground remain incredibly dangerous. Dozens of Americans have lost their lives and thousands more are in danger. My office staff in Escondido and Temecula are standing by and fully capable. They will provide any information and assistance that our people need,” he said.

Contact information for Congressman Issa’s District Offices in Escondido and Temecula:

Escondido District Office
221 W. Crest Street
#110
Escondido, CA  92025

Temecula District Office
41000 Main St.
Temecula, CA  92590

Phone
(760) 304-7575

Issa Demands FBI Answers on Former Biden Special Envoy for Iran

“We need to know if Rob Malley was tied to a secretive influence operation by Tehran”

On October 13, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) – a Senior Member of both the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees – wrote a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray demanding answers about numerous reports that the Bureau has launched an investigation of former Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley – who has had his security clearance suspended and is on leave from the State Department.

In the letter, Rep. Issa stated, “Throughout both the Obama and Biden Administrations, Special Envoy Malley was a central figure in the development of Iran policy. In that capacity, he has helped steer official American policy toward a morally bankrupt detente with the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. The ramifications of Mr. Malley being compromised are practically limitless.”

According to media reports, the FBI is looking into Malley over handling of classified material, and “At least three close Malley associates were alleged to be part of the network, including Ariane Tabatabai, a senior Pentagon official who worked with Malley at the State Department. Tabatabai’s alleged membership in the influence network has drawn calls for her security clearance to be revoked pending an investigation.”

Rep. Issa concluded: “Rob Malley deserves extensive scrutiny yesterday, today and tomorrow. These reports could not be more concerning, and they hint at what could be the worst State Department scandal since Alger Hiss,”

The full 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.