Crowd Demands Answers from Issa on Healthcare Bill

By Indivisible San Diego County

More than 430 constituents of Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49) rallied outside his district office in Vista this morning to demand answers about the newly released GOP health care bill. The Republican legislation was kept secret from the public by its authors, and alarmed citizens with Indivisible 49 turned to their congressman for clarity. They did not get it.

Led by Reverend Beth Johnson of the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the voters sent a delegation to meet with Issa’s District Director, Bill Christensen. “We had specific questions to ask about Issa’s position on the GOP bill,” said Ellen Montanari, a leader of Indivisible 49. “Mr. Christensen repeatedly said ‘I don’t know’, or referred us to Issa’s website.”

Rev. Johnson offered to fly to Washington, DC to meet with Rep. Issa, and will meet with Christiansen again on Wednesday in hopes of getting better answers. Issa released his own draft of an Affordable Care Act replacement last week.

Senators Feinstein & Harris

More than 75 Indivisible protestors rallied outside the offices of Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris. Speakers included two Navy veterans, Jose Caballero and Becca Taylor, who denounced Congress’ failure to fully investigate the connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. They asked Senator Feinstein to join Senator Harris in calling for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who lied to Congress about his prior contacts with Russians.

Fayaz Nawabi, Executive Director for San Diego’s Council on American-Islamic Relations, decried Trump’s newest Muslim Ban and promised a town hall in San Diego with Khizr Kahn, the Gold Star Father whom Trump attacked during the 2016 campaign. Several citizens shared stories on their need for the Affordable Care Act to treat personal medical conditions and those of their loved ones.

Feinstein’s District Director, Bill Kratz, collected cards written by constituents expressing their concerns about the Russia investigation, the Muslim Ban and the repeal of the ACA. Harris’ State Director, Julie Rodriguez, spoke to the group and reiterated Harris’ belief that AG Sessions should resign. Her staff also accepted cards from citizens.

Rep. Duncan Hunter

More than 50 constituents with Indivisible East County District 50 protested at the Temecula office of Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50). They criticized his pervasive, illegal use of campaign funds to cover family expenses like groceries, utility bills, and school uniforms, as well as to underwrite lavish vacations to Europe and Hawaii. Hunter has been forced to repay more than $60,000 of his illegal purchases and is under investigation in Washington, DC for ethics violations.

More than 40 voters with Indivisible East County District 50 rallied near Hunter’s El Cajon office. They demanded Hunter support a full, independent investigation of Trump campaign connections to Russia and of any collusion with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election. They also opposed Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

In total, more than 600 citizens participated in Indivisible’s Resist Trump Tuesday events. Nearly 90 local Indivisible groups are operating across five congressional districts in the San Diego region.