Darrell Issa
U.S. House · CA-48 · Republicans · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · CA-48
Biography
Overview
Darrell Issa is a Republican U.S. House Representative from California's 48th district, currently serving since 2021. A successful businessman who co-founded Directed Electronics (DEI), a major auto security company, Issa has served multiple terms in Congress with a focus on government oversight and transparency. He previously chaired the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee from 2011 to 2015 and now chairs the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet subcommittee.
Career
Issa championed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (signed into law in 2014), the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (passed as part of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act), and FISMA Reform (signed into law in 2014). As Oversight Committee Chair, he launched numerous investigations into the Obama administration and advocated for government transparency. He received a Project on Government Oversight Good Government Award in 2010. He co-founded the Congressional Transparency Caucus and has been active in Middle East peace initiatives. However, on March 6, 2026, he announced he would not seek re-election.
Prior political experience
Issa first won election to the House in 2000 with 61% of the vote against Democrat Peter Kouvelis in California's 48th district. He was reelected multiple times from the 49th district (2002–2018) with margins ranging from 58% to 77%, often running unopposed or facing weak opposition. After stepping away in 2018, he won California's 50th district in 2020 with approximately 54% of the vote against Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar. In prior races, he placed second in the March 2020 primary before winning the general election by nearly 30,000 votes.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Darrell Issa
No active campaigns target Darrell Issa right now.
Start a campaign targeting Darrell IssaOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | U.S. House CA-48 | 2025–present | In progress | Darrell Issa | — |
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-48 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-50 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | — | Scott H. Peters |
| 8th | U.S. House CA-49 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Mike Levin |
| 7th | U.S. House CA-49 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 6th | U.S. House CA-49 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 5th | U.S. House CA-49 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 4th | U.S. House CA-49 | 2009–2011 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 3rd | U.S. House CA-49 | 2007–2009 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-49 | 2005–2007 | Term ended | Darrell Issa | Darrell Issa |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-49 | 2003–2005 | Term ended | — | Darrell Issa |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-48 | 2001–2003 | Term ended | — | Darrell Issa |
Committee assignments
- Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the InternetHouseChair· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- The Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and AntitrustHouse· 2025–present
- Research and TechnologyHouse· 2025–present
- Middle East and North AfricaHouse· 2025–present
- Oversight and IntelligenceHouse· 2025–present
- Investigations and OversightHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8483
To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Barona Reservation, California, and for other purposes.
Apr 23, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8285
Protecting American Competition Act of 2026
Apr 15, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 7311
Lebanon Election Integrity and Diaspora Voting Protection Act of 2026
Feb 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7054
To require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a notification of certain construction projects using nonstandard designs.
Jan 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7015
Protecting TPLF From Abuse Act
Jan 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6730
HERO Act
Dec 16, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6036
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.
Nov 12, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5682
To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.
Oct 3, 2025INTRODUCED - H.R. 5632
PEACE Act
Sep 30, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5042
To define "showerhead" for the purpose of determining the acceptable water pressure for a showerhead, and for other purposes.
Aug 26, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8289
BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026
Apr 15, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 8287
Semiconductor Controls Effectiveness Act of 2026
Apr 15, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 7490
Tribal Warrant Fairness Act
Feb 11, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6395
To implement a strategy to relocate the headquarters of the United Nations, and for other purposes.
Dec 3, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5993
MACV–SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act
Nov 10, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5801
Shutdown Fairness Act
Oct 21, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5643
To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in Northport, New York, as the Navy (SEAL) Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy VA Medical Center, and for other purposes.
Sep 30, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5437
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act
Sep 17, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4662
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6444 San Fernando Road in Glendale, California, as the "Paul Ignatius Post Office".
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4638
Federal Working Animal Protection Act
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House CA-50 | Won | 53.95% |
|