Despite improvements in San Diego's air pollution overall, San Diego ranks worst in the U.S. for ozone pollution, per to a new report from the American Lung Association, making our region one of the most polluted areas in the U.S. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Los Angeles smog in 2006, before California's clean vehicle emissions laws dramatically cleaned up the air.  Image by David Iliff, CC license

May 4, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – House Republicans have pushed through three bills to repeal California’s Clean Air Act waivers, which have allowed our state to have stricter vehicle emission standards than the rest of the nation, resulting in dramatically cleaner air. 

Governor Gavin Newsom has blasted the measures as both illegal and aimed at “making California smoggy again.” 

Since the Clean Air Act was passed under Republican Richard Nixon’s administration in 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted California over 100 waivers for its clean air and climate efforts.

League of Women Voters, groups representing veterans and seniors, and Issa’s Democratic opponent Curtis Morrison all oppose action in court

By Miriam Raftery

April 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican representing the 48^th Congressional district, has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The suit, Issa v.Weber, seeks to halt California’s decade-long practice of allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to a week after an election, provided they were postmarked by Election Day.

Ballots at risk of not being counted include many cast by military members deployed overseas, as well as seniors and others who rely on mail-in ballots.  Motions to intervene in the suit have been filed by organizations representing veterans, women, voters, and by Issa’s political opponent.

LIVESTREAMING UPDATE:   For those unable to attend  in-person, here are platforms where organizers plan to livestream this event:  

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/indivisiblencsd/ 
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@indivisiblencsd  
• Youtube Live - https://www.youtube.com/@IndivisibleNCSanDiego
• Twitch.tv - https://www.twitch.tv/indivisiblencsandiego; 

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2025 (Escondido) – After weeks of rebuffed requests for Congressman Darrell Issa  (R-48)to hold a community townhall to discuss constituents’ concerns, activists have scheduled an “Empty Chair Town Hall” at the California Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event, hosted by Dr. Allison Gill from the "Mueller, She Wrote" podcast, will provide constituents with the opportunity to voice questions and concerns they would typically address directly to their congressional representative, particularly regarding potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and Veterans Services.

Following recommendations outlined in the "Indivisible Guide" (indivisible.org/resource/guide), this Empty Chair Town Hall is part of a nationwide effort encouraged by Indivisible National during the congressional recess from March 13-23.

"When our elected officials refuse to engage with their constituents, democracy suffers," said  Pamela Albergo of Indivisible North County San Diego. "Rep. Issa hasn't held a town hall since 2017, but the concerns of his constituents haven't gone away."

East County News Service

Photo, right:  Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County

February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – Congressman Darrell Issa, a San Diego Republican, has introduced the “Green Tape Elimination Act” that seeks to prevent wildfires by exempting all fuel reduction activities on federal lands from these environmental regulations for 10 years.

• The National Environmental Policy Act 
• The Endangered Species Act 
• The National Historic Preservation Act 
• The Clean Air Act 
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act 
• The Migratory Bird Conservation Act
  
  

East County News Service

December 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Today, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after a companion measure authored by Senator Padilla previously passed in the Senate.

The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.” 

View video of full interview,  hear audio,  or scroll down for highlights

East County News Service

November 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Stephen Houlahan is a former Santee City Councilman and registered nurse who led successful effforts to block a dangerous liquified natural gas pipeline through the 48^th Congressional district that he is now running to represent.  That seat is currently occupied by Rep. Darrell Issa. The contrast is dramatic—and Houlahan says he’s running to restore freedoms, protect our democracy, and bring home federal dollars to underground power lines that have sparked wildfires and caused insurance rates to skyrocket.

The contrast couldn’t be more clear.

• Issa voted against certifying the 2020 election results and opposed efforts to investigate the Capitol insurrection.  Houlahan says a peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of democracy, and has won endorsement from National Security Leaders of America, a bipartisan group of retired military leaders and cabinet officers.
• Issa is coauthor of a bill to outlaw abortion nationwide, with no exceptions even to save a mother’s life.  Houlahan wants to restore women’s reproductive freedoms taken away when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
• Issa voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Houlahan wants to fight to bring home infrastructure dollars to improve storm drainage infrastructure, repair the dangerous El Capitan dam, and improve fire safety.
• Issa has opposed clean energy investment.  Houlahan  backs rebuilding the energy grid, including undergrounding power lines to protect our backcountry.
• Issa voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Houlahan wants to protect it and expand Medicare to cover those 55 and up, also adding a MediKids program to cover 4 million uninsured children.
• Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has been accused of corruption including most recently failing to timely report hundreds of thousands of dollars in treasury bonds, a potential violation of the Stock Act.  Houlahan says he will stand against corruption and for transparency, calling for tougher penalties on insider trading by members of Congress and a need for honest leadership.

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine also aired on KNSJ radio,  Houlahan also shared his views on the economy and inflation, immigration and border security NATO, the Israel-Gaza conflict,  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2024 (San Diego) – The U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 advisory urging Americans not to travel to Lebanon, and for Americans in Southern Lebanon, near the Syrian borders, or in refugee settlements to immediately depart. Those who do not leave should be prepared to shelter in place for a prolonged period, due to escalating military actions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Following Hezbollah strikes in Israel, Israel launched an airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate. Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a bomb in Tehran, Iran. Iran has blamed Israel and has threatened to attack Israel in response, though Israel has not confirmed nor denied responsibility for the Iranian death.

Any attacks on Israel are expected may trigger a wider military response by Israel. Today, Israeli fighter jets reportedly flew low over Beirut,  producing sonic booms that scattered frightened residents, according to Reuters.

For travelers and foreign nationals in Beirut, fleeing is becoming more difficult. Insurance companies have raised premiums due to unrest in the region, prompting Air France, Lufthansa and other European airlines to halt flights into Beirut, NPR reported yesterday. Middle East Airlines is still flying, but there are not enough planes to accommodate all who seek to leave.

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2024 (Jamul)—The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard impassioned testimony on July 11 from  Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto, speaking in favor of S. 3857,the Jamul Indian Land Transfer Act authored by California Senator Alex Padilla. The measure would place in trust four land parcels totaling 172 acres into the Jamul Indian Village reservation, lands that the tribal chairwoman says are needed for tribal members' housing, reuniiting a scattered community, protecting cultural resources, and providing services for tribal members,such as healthcare and education.

The bill is identical to H.R. 6443, Rep. Darrell Issa’s bill which has already passed the House of Representatives.

But the measures have drawn opposition from the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group, which was not consulted about the measures and was not allowed to present testimony at the July 11 hearing. THE JDCPG Chair sent a letter to the Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman and the authors of both bills outlining the planning group's concerns including whether commercial development could occur, as well as objections over the land transfer process bypassing local input.

Representative Sara Jacobs says “justice is served” by jurors’ decision. Her opponent, Mayor Bill Wells, leads “save our democracy” rally against verdict.

East County News Service

June 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Local officials are speaking on after a New York state jury convicted former president Donald Trump of 34 felony crimes.  The jurors found that Trump falsified business records to pay hush money to a porn star, in order to prevent voters from learning of his alleged affair.

Reactions split down party lines among local representatives, with Republicans criticizing the justice systema and Democrats praising jurors’ actions.

Congressman Juan Vargas, a Democrat, stated, “"No one is above the law. Not even former president Donald Trump. Today, a jury unanimously concluded that he broke the law for his own personal gain. This verdict is another step towards accountability and justice."

In El Cajon, Republican Mayor Bill Wells, also a candidate for Congress, held what he called a “Save Our Democracy” rally at which he denounced the verdicts. “Americans know that a dark time has fallen over the nation and that none of us are safe. We are all potential felons if it is convenient for the people in power,” Wells told the crowd that he estimated at hundreds, but that other observers estimated at several dozen.  Councilmembers Phil Ortiz and Steve Goble also spoke at the rally.

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, whom Wells is running against, concluded, “Justice is served.”

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: CC-By-SA via Bing

February 7, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- A standalone bill to provide $17.6 billion in emergency aid to Israel amid its fight with Hamas failed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with mixed support from the San Diego Delegation.

Democrats Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters opposed it, while Democrats Mike Levin and Juan Vargas joined Republic Darrell Issa in voting for it.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Rep. Darrell Issa at Gold Star Family hearing last August in Escondido. Photo by Chris Stone

December 14, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) - The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to formally authorize its ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as Republicans unite behind the effort even though they have yet to find evidence of wrongdoing by the Democrat.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2023 (San Diego) – After the House of Representatives finally elected a new Speaker, Mike Johnson, the first action was a bipartisan resolution in support of  Israel’s war against Hamas, also condemning Iran for aiding Hamas and other terror groups.  The resolution passed 412-10, with all five of San Diego’s Congressional representatives voting in favor.

But the local members differ sharply on other aspects of the Israel-Hamas conflict, including whether aid to Israel should be linked to humanitarian aid for Gaza and support for Ukraine.

By Miriam Raftery

October 12,  2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Congressional Representatives Sara Jacobs and Darrell Issa have posted information for constituents impacted by the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians

July 22, 2023 (Pala) -- The United States Senate this week passed H.R. 423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023, by unanimous consent.  H.R. 423, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), places approximately 721 acres of sacred land the Pala Band of Mission Indians currently owns into trust.  

“On behalf of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, we thank Congressman Issa, Senator Padilla, Senator Feinstein and their colleagues for supporting this very important piece of legislation,” said Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “With the passage of this legislation, our ancestral grounds, which are central to our spiritual and cultural traditions, will be forever protected as part of the Pala Reservation.”