Challenger Howard Katz believes questions over Issa's finances and votes against public's interests make Issa vulnerable

 By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2010 (San Diego)–-The 49th Congressional District seat has been held for the past decade by Republican Darrell Issa.  The richest member in the House of Representatives with a net worth of $251 million, Issa has long been viewed by political strategists as unbeatable. But watchdog journalists at San Diego CityBeat have unearthed serious questions about Issa’s finances and potential political corruption.

Now Howard Katz, a seasoned businessman who has held a senior management position with IBM and served as a management consultant for Oracle, believes Issa is vulnerable. He's running for Congress--and hopes to add Issa's name to the unemployment rolls come November. 

By Buck Shott
 

July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The political scene in San Diego’s eastern regions runs the gamut from follies to jollies.  Here are the latest juicy stories—starting with a watchdog who may need some watching, according to newshounds at a local newspaper who turned up a pungent trail involving a prominent elected official.  Another media outlet found itself the target of criticism, however, after running a political cartoon portraying a one-eyed veteran running for Congress as a pirate. Plus a candidate in an East County council race has an illustrious resume that includes this jolly avocation: Santa Claus!

By Buck Shott

May11, 2010 – This week, we bring you a ringside seat for the latest political knock-down, drag-out fights in state and local races.

MISSING IN ACTION: Ballot statements have been published for the June primary—but one local candidate’s statement is conspicuously absent.

March 29, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) has joined with Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) and Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) to introduce legislation aimed at stopping frivolous patent litigation related to the marking of products.

“Our bill discourages deceptive patent marking while simultaneously moving to eliminate frivolous lawsuits,” said Rep. Issa. “This is a common sense effort that protects consumers from higher costs created by abusive lawsuits.”

Congressman Filner provides update on funds with breakdown by Congressional districts

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2009 (San Diego) – More than $250 million has been allocated for the San Diego region through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transportation and infrastructure projects, according to figures released yesterday by Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego). Filner is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which recently held a hearing titled The Recovery Act: Progress Report for Transportation Infrastructure Investment.”

November 18, 2009 (Washington, DC) – The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act passed by a 395-31 vote in the House of Representatives today, providing local firefighters with tools and resources to prevent and fight fires, enhancing community safety. At a time when many cities face budget shortfalls and cuts to basic services, the Act invests in programs that allow local fire departments to provide training, purchase equipment and vehicles, and hire personnel.

Among San Diego’s Congressional delegation, Republicans Duncan Hunter and Brian Bilbray voted yes, along with Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis, while Republican Darrell Issa voted no.

by Francine Busby

November 9, 2009 (San Diego) --Mr. Bilbray and his Republican colleagues in Congress just don’t get it. They need a shot of reality before they render themselves completely obsolete. It's way past time to stop the empty excuses, tired remedies and baseless accusations in regards to Healthcare reform. It's time to work together for the health and well-being of our families, our economy and our national security.

This is a very personal issue. In San Diego County, over 600,000, or 20.2% of people are uninsured and tens of thousands more are under-insured. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Bilbray's own Congressional district, 15.8%, or over 103,000 people are currently without health insurance.

November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Healthcare for All Act last night by a 220-215 margin.  Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the landmark measure, while local Republicans Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa and Brian Bilbray voted no. 

In the House, only a single Republican (Joseph Cao of New Orleans) voted for the measure.  In addition, 39 Democrats voted no, including representatives from conservative districts as well as some liberal members.

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2009 – The House and Senate are grappling with several versions of major healthcare reform measures that could dramatically transform our nation’s healthcare system. Four of the five measures would include a public option, which give Americans a choice between private health insurance or opting for coverage under a government-run system similar to Medicare.

Where do your Congressional and Senate representatives stand? All have now taken a firm position either for or against the public option. Here are statements directly from San Diego County’s five Congressional representatives and California’s two U.S. Senators. If you wish to contact your Congressman or Senator to voice your views, you can find their contact information in our Citizens Action Center.

4 San Diego Congressional representatives vote “aye”; Hunter votes “no”

September 24, 2009 (Washington D.C.)—San Diego Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis joined with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa in voting  to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families by extending unemployment insurance benefits to those hit hardest by the recession. Rep. Duncan Hunter, who represents most of East County, voted against the bill.

The Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 (HR 3548) will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to the estimated 314,000 workers who would otherwise exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of September, and one million more whose benefits would run out by the end of the year.

By Miriam Raftery June 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–H.R. 2996, landmark legislation that aims to protect air, clean up waterways and restore our public lands, has passed the House of Representatives by a 254-173 vote. Among San Diego’s Congressional representatives, Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted in favor of the measure, while Brian Bilbray, Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voted against it.

By Miriam Raftery
 
June 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – By a scant seven votes (219-212), the U.S. House of Representatives last night passed the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill has been hailed by the Environmental Defense Action Fund as “the most important environmental and energy legislation in our nation’s history.”
 
Supporters say the bill will create millions of “green jobs” while shifting the nation to reliance on clean, renewable energy resources to curb the potentially devastating impacts of global warming by reducing U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil. Opponents argued the bill would increase energy costs and bureaucracy. San Diego Congressional Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans Brian Bilbray, Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voted no. Several area members offered comments on their votes. The Senate will now consider climate change legislation before a final measure goes to President Obama for signature.

CONGRESS GRANTS FDA AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, PROTECT KIDS FROM SMOKING IMPACTS June 16, 2009 (Washington D.C.) The House and Senate have passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, designed to protect children and teens from the harmful effects of smoking. The bill grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the advertising, marketing and manufacturing of tobacco products to protect public health. San Diego Congressional representatives Brian Bilbray, Susan Davis and Bob Filner voted for the landmark measure, while Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voted against it. Issa, the only San Diego representative to take tobacco industry money during the last election, received a $1,000 campaign contribution in 2008.

Local Representatives Split Votes By Miriam Raftery
June 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.)--Three local representatives have voted in favor of a “cash for clunkers” program that will allow consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help people buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act (HR 2751) aims to spur sale of up to one million more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, while stimulating the ailing auto industry and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 298 to 119 margin. Among San Diego County representatives, Brian Bilbray, Susan Davis and Bob Filner voted for the measure, while Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voted against it.
 

January 21, 2009 (Washington D.C.)-- On his first day in office, President Barack Obama ordered that the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay be closed down within a year. Closure of the now-infamous detention facility could result in some of the 245 prisoners held there being transferred to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, according to a Pentagon study. Newly elected Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) has introduced a bill, coauthored by San Diego Republican Congressmen Darrell Issa and Brian Bilbray, to block transfer of detainees from Guantanamo to Pendleton.