[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS
Legislative Integrity Monitor
Goblin House Intelligence
Congress → Officials → Darrell Issa

Darrell Issa

Republican · Representative, CA ·48

Darrell Issa is the Republican U.S. Representative (CA's 48th congressional district). The platform has 10 voting records on file (2017-2026) and 48 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components
73 HIGH
Connection Density 20%
80 → 16
Donor Influence 15%
34 → 5
Silence Risk 25%
85 → 21
Contradiction Risk 25%
95 → 24
Intelligence Volume 15%
62 → 9
Constituency Deviation 0%
46 → 0
Voting Misalignment 0%
0 → 0
% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty rate: 5.7%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership rate: 71.4%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Hispanic or Latino: 30.7%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: White (Non-Hispanic): 58.1%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population (2024): 760,621
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median household income: $113,202
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Proposition 3 — Remove Same-Sex Marriage Ban from California Constitution (2024) — passed, margin majority yes
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Proposition 1 — Right to Abortion and Contraception (California Constitutional Amendment) (2022) — passed, margin 66.9% yes to 33.1% no
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 92 (share 0.12)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 44-45 (share 0.14)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 62 (share 0.17)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: California State University San Marcos (2500 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Palomar Health (Escondido/Poway) (3500 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base (nearby) (38000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] District summary: California's 48th Congressional District covers inland northern San Diego County and portions of southern Riverside County, including communities such as Escondido, Vista, San Marcos, Temecula, Murrieta, and Fallbrook. With a population of approximately 760,621 and a median household income of $113,202 — nearly three times the national median — the district is relatively…
[ Show full fact ]
[constituency_baseline] District summary: California's 48th Congressional District covers inland northern San Diego County and portions of southern Riverside County, including communities such as Escondido, Vista, San Marcos, Temecula, Murrieta, and Fallbrook. With a population of approximately 760,621 and a median household income of $113,202 — nearly three times the national median — the district is relatively affluent. Homeownership stands at 71.4% with a median home value of $735,700. The district is 58.1% White and 30.7% Hispanic. The Cook PVI shifted from R+19 to D-leaning after the 2026 redistricting, with a 50.6D–48.7R partisan lean. Only 34.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree. Major economic drivers include defense (Camp Pendleton nearby), healthcare, biotech, tourism, and agriculture. Median rent is $2,181 and the poverty rate is just 5.7%. Issa announced his retirement in March 2026 after the district was redrawn to favor Democrats.
secondary ✓ Verified
Voted yea on American Health Care Act (AHCA) (American Health Care Act of 2017 (Obamacare repeal)) on 2017-05-04: Cast the tie-breaking vote for Obamacare repeal, waiting until 215 votes were already on the board before voting. San Diego Indivisible called it a 'betrayal' of 36,400 constituents who relied on the ACA. Issa then attended a Florida fundraiser instead of facing constituents. He was front and center at…
[ Show full fact ]
Voted yea on American Health Care Act (AHCA) (American Health Care Act of 2017 (Obamacare repeal)) on 2017-05-04: Cast the tie-breaking vote for Obamacare repeal, waiting until 215 votes were already on the board before voting. San Diego Indivisible called it a 'betrayal' of 36,400 constituents who relied on the ACA. Issa then attended a Florida fundraiser instead of facing constituents. He was front and center at the White House Rose Garden celebration.
primary · 2017-05-04 ✓ Verified
Voted nay on H.R. 1319 (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) on 2021-02-27: Opposed $1.9 trillion COVID relief including $1,400 stimulus checks and expanded child tax credits — benefits that would have aided families in a district where 5.7% live in poverty and median rent is $2,181.
primary · 2021-02-27 ✓ Verified
Voted nay on Epstein Files Release (Sept. 2025) (Release of Jeffrey Epstein investigation files) on 2025-09-16: Cast the deciding vote to block release of the Epstein files by a one-vote margin, speaking in support of Trump's position. The region's four Democratic members voted for release. By November 2025, the House reversed course and voted overwhelmingly (427-1) to release the files.
primary · 2025-09-16 ✓ Verified
Voted yea on H.R. 3746 (Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Debt Ceiling Suspension)) on 2023-05-31: Voted to suspend the debt ceiling and avoid catastrophic default, joining 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats. A pragmatic vote that avoided economic crisis despite his reputation as a fiscal hawk.
primary · 2023-05-31 ✓ Verified
Voted yea on H.R. 22 (SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)) on 2025-04-10: Supported requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Critics argue this disenfranchises eligible voters — a notable position given Issa's own history of suing over ballot access. His district has a 30.7% Hispanic population.
primary · 2025-04-10 ✓ Verified
Google campaign contributor Google Inc was Issa's single largest career contributor at $106,931 ($49,931 individual + $57,000 PAC).
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vote support Voted for Laken Riley Act requiring DHS/ICE detention for undocumented immigrants accused of theft.
Leidos campaign contributor Leidos Inc contributed $103,027 ($44,777 individual + $58,250 PAC) to Issa's campaign.
AIPAC / United Democracy Project campaign contributor The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was the largest payor to Issa's campaign committee, spending $26,383 through 43 payments in the 2024 cycle.
US Department of Defense (Pentagon) employment Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base (nearby) is the top employer in Issa's district with 38,000 employees.
Quiver Quantitative financial reporting Quiver Quantitative estimates Issa's net worth at $285.2 million as of December 2025, the 4th highest in Congress.
Donald Trump affiliation Issa cast the deciding vote to block release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, speaking in support of Trump's position. The measure failed by a one-vote margin.
Jeffrey Epstein vote record Issa cast the deciding vote to block release of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files on 2025-09-16, speaking in support of Trump's position.
House Committee on Education and the Workforce member Issa serves on or aligns with the committee's investigations into labor union financial transparency.
America's Credit Unions financial_recipient Issa received cumulative support from national and regional credit union PACs.
Coupang, Inc. Company PAC (Coupac) donor $5,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00889568/
B Brigade Majority Fund donor $5,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00820787/
Stop Collectivism Or Totalitarianism Triumphs PAC donor $7,500 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00807909/
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $10,006 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (4 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00797670/
Crosspartisan PAC Ii donor $5,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00786202/
Majority PAC donor $10,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00741355/
Seal PAC USA donor $5,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00722025/
Transdigm Group Inc. Employee Political Action Committee donor $5,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00714329/
Bmi Political Action Committee donor $10,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00653188/
American Revival PAC donor $10,000 to Darrell Issa's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00639229/
BillVoteDateAlignment
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Water Resources Development Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
PROOF Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Retire through Ownership Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
GUARD Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act Yea 2026-09-03 unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require… Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
AGOA Extension Act Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act Yea 2026-08-31 unknown
Last contradiction analysis: Never
platform_vs_vote 90/100
Platform: "Issa co-sponsored and voted for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget and has campaigned on fiscal conservatism, stating government must spend 'within its means.'"
Vote: on "Issa voted for H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the Congressional Budget Office…"
Issa co-sponsors a balanced-budget constitutional amendment and runs as a fiscal conservative, yet voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which the CBO projected would add trillions to the deficit — a profound departure from the fiscal restraint he has championed for decades.
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "As House Oversight Committee Chairman, Issa championed transparency, calling it essential to holding government accountable."
Vote: on "On September 16, 2025, Issa cast the deciding vote to block release of the Jeffrey Epstein files…"
Issa built his national reputation as a transparency crusader as Oversight Committee Chairman, yet cast the deciding vote to block public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files — a vote that directly contradicts the accountability principles he once championed from the very same committee.
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "Issa sued Governor Gavin Newsom over an executive order to mail absentee ballots to all registered California voters during the 2020 pandemic, arguing the order lacked legal authority and was 'a recipe for widespread…
[ Show full platform position ]
Issa sued Governor Gavin Newsom over an executive order to mail absentee ballots to all registered California voters during the 2020 pandemic, arguing the order lacked legal authority and was 'a recipe for widespread fraud.'
"
Vote: on "Official voting records showed that Issa himself voted absentee 16 times in the 20 years prior to…"
Issa sued to block universal mail-in voting, calling it 'a recipe for widespread fraud,' yet had personally voted absentee 16 times over 20 years — a glaring personal inconsistency that his own spokesman dismissed as 'no contradiction.'
reversal 60/100
Platform: "Issa declared in December 2025, 'I'm not quitting,' addressing speculation about his political future."
Vote: on "Three months later, on March 6, 2026, Issa announced his retirement rather than face a difficult…"
Issa forcefully declared 'I'm not quitting' in December 2025, then announced his retirement just three months later after his district was redrawn to favor Democrats — a classic case of a politician reversing course when electoral prospects dim.
Last silence detection: Fri, 09 Oct 2026 01:12:52 GMT (via scheduled run)
In-person constituent town hall meetings
3344d silent
Expected position: As a veteran congressman and one of the wealthiest members of Congress representing a district with 760,621 constituents, Issa would be expected to hold regular in-person town halls where voters can ask unscripted questions about his…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a veteran congressman and one of the wealthiest members of Congress representing a district with 760,621 constituents, Issa would be expected to hold regular in-person town halls where voters can ask unscripted questions about his votes, DOGE cuts, and healthcare policy. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Issa has not held an in-person town hall since 2017. After weeks of rebuffed requests, constituents organized an 'Empty Chair Town Hall' on March 23, 2025, at the California Center for the Arts, drawing a standing-room-only crowd of approximately 400. A man in a chicken mask reflected claims Issa is 'chicken' for avoiding constituents. Attendees chanted 'Shame.' Issa's office was formally invited but did not attend. Constituents also held a 'Town Hall We Deserve' with Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs in July 2025 due to Issa's continued refusal. Issa has held telephone town halls requiring advance registration and has appeared at chamber of commerce and community group meetings with pre-screened audiences. Primary URL: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/activists-hold-empty-chair-town-hall-march-23-after-rep-issa-refuses-constituents%E2%80%99-requests-meeting
corporate pacs, industry unlisted
Am General LLC PAC (Am General PAC), The Mosaic Company PAC, Coupang, Inc. Company PAC (Coupac) (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: corporate pacs, industry unlisted
other / unclassified
Bmi Political Action Committee, American Revival PAC, Japac, Seal PAC USA (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $6,500 (2024), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: other / unclassified
colleagues' leadership pacs
Invest In A Strong Secure America PAC, Road To Freedom Campaign Committee, Buckeye Liberty PAC, New Majority Federal PAC, Buddy PAC, Stop Collectivism Or Totalitarianism Triumphs PAC, B Brigade Majority Fund (amounts: $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Invest In A Strong Secure America PAC, Road To Freedom Campaign Committee, Buckeye Liberty PAC, New Majority Federal PAC, Buddy PAC, Stop Collectivism Or Totalitarianism Triumphs PAC, B Brigade Majority Fund (amounts: $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $7,500 (2024), $5,000 (2024)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs
party committees
Majority PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2024)) — interest area: party committees
ideological & single-issue
Crosspartisan PAC Ii (amounts: $5,000 (2024)) — interest area: ideological & single-issue
other candidates' committees
Huck PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2024)) — interest area: other candidates' committees
National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) Alcohol & tobacco $5,000 (2024)
Coupang, Inc. Company PAC (Coupac) Corporate PACs, industry unlisted $5,000 (2026)
B Brigade Majority Fund Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2024)
Stop Collectivism Or Totalitarianism Triumphs PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $7,500 (2024)
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2026)
Crosspartisan PAC Ii Ideological & single-issue $5,000 (2024)
Majority PAC Party committees $10,000 (2024)
Seal PAC USA Other / unclassified $5,000 (2026)
Transdigm Group Inc. Employee Political Action Committee Defense & aerospace $5,000 (2024)
Bmi Political Action Committee Other / unclassified $5,000 (2026)
American Revival PAC Other / unclassified $10,000 (2026)
Buddy PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Association Of American Publishers PAC (Aap PAC) Telecom & media $5,000 (2026)
Toyota Motor North America, Inc PAC (Toyota/Lexus PAC) Transportation & auto $5,000 (2024)
Facebook Inc. PAC Technology $5,000 (2024)
TopicPriorityAlignmentDeviation
Healthcare Access & Affordability 82 15 67
Environmental Regulation & Coastal/Water Issues 71 -35 62
Reproductive Rights & Social Issues 63 20 45
Education & Workforce (Higher Ed) 66 45 30
Immigration & Border Policy 74 55 21
Government Oversight & Ethics 60 62 18
National Defense & Veterans 72 70 15
Water & Infrastructure 61 68 14
Taxes & Cost of Living 79 78 12
Energy & Consumer Utility Costs 64 75 12
Trade & Small Business 58 72 10
Public Safety & Fraud Enforcement 68 85 8
No platform commitments archived
No committee memberships recorded
Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

ComponentWeightSignal
Contradiction Risk30%Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence20%Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density20%Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk15%Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume15%Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation0%Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment0%Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]
Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains.
$3.7BDonor Contributions
0Money Chains
0Traced Hops
Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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