REPRESENTATIVE DEREK TRAN'S YEAR IN REVIEW 2025

MY FIRST YEAR IN CONGRESS: WRAPPED

Dear Friend, As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on my first year serving the incredible people of California's 45th Congressional District. I came to Congress driven by one goal: to give back to the community that helped me become the father, Veteran, lawyer, small business owner, and Congressman I am today. I'm not interested in playing politics - I'll always work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to deliver policy solutions that make life better for families across CA-45. I'm proud to say that this year, we have achieved some amazing wins for our community, and I wanted to put together this end-of-year report to celebrate our shared accomplishments! Your voices will always guide every decision I make in Washington. Hearing directly from you is the best way to understand your needs and ensure that I'm taking action to address them in Congress. If you'd like to share your thoughts with me, please visit my website or keep in touch on social media - I love receiving messages from my constituents! To stay updated on how I'm fighting for you in Washington, subscribe to my weekly newsletter and check out my end-of-year highlights video below.

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It's been the honor of my life to represent you in Congress this year, and I'm looking forward to everything we will achieve together in 2026. Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! Sincerely, Derek T. Tran Member of Congress

As your Representative, I can help you resolve a problem with a federal agency or get the information you need, from securing your tax refund to renewing your passport and more. I'm so proud that this year alone, my office has returned over $4.6 million directly to taxpayers across CA-45, and has resolved more than 400 federal agency cases for families in our community. It's so rewarding to know my office can make a real difference in our community members' lives, and I'm excited to continue solving problems for all our CA-45 neighbors in the new year. If you're experiencing an issue with a federal agency, visit my website to learn more about how my team may be able to assist you.

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CASEWORK SUCCESSES

Hear how my office can support you, directly from our neighbors in CA-45!

"I’m deeply grateful to Congressman Tran’s office for helping me navigate what felt like an impossible situation. Through your team’s dedication, persistence, and efficiency, I was able to receive a resolution: including over $37,000 in survival benefits from Social Security, that I don’t believe would have been possible without your support. The professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care turned what was a long and stressful journey into a successful outcome." – Rayan, Fullerton
"Amazing, I got a call on a Saturday responding to my voice mail concerning non-response from Social Security. On Monday, the agency called and processed my pending claim. It went from 'nothing was getting done' to 'it's all done' in a few days. Thank you for your excellent attention.” – Mitch, Garden Grove
"I have been fighting a charge of $51,900, which the treasury has been garnishing my SSI for charges of my medical bills. I have written disputes to no resolve. Contacted many agencies to find help. I finally scheduled an appointment with a specialist in Congressman Derek Tran's office. Fantastic." - rhonda, buena park

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The best part of my job is when I’m meeting with the amazing people who make CA-45 the unique and vibrant place we’re lucky to call home. Along with my incredible team, I was grateful to attend over 300 events this year and hear directly about your top priorities for our community. This year, I was proud to host three live town hall events in Cerritos, Buena Park, and Westminster, to hear firsthand about the issues that matter most to you. Meanwhile, Team Tran held more than 10 Mobile Office Hours events in Fountain Valley and Brea this year, bringing federal casework assistance directly to constituents in every corner of our district. I'm also dedicated to listening to our community's bright young leaders, whose voices inform a forward-looking approach to the issues that matter most to our all of our kids. That's why I established a Youth Advisory Board, which gives high-school students the opportunity to meet with my team, discuss existing federal legislation, and propose policy ideas that would benefit California's 45th congressional district. My office is proud to recognize exceptional leadership in service through our Service Academy nomination process, giving passionate students the chance to pursue a path at one of our country's prestigious military academies, and highlight leading talent in art and science, selecting trailblazing first-place submissions in this year's Congressional Art Competition and Congressional App Challenge. I've had the pleasure of meeting with our business owners, community organizers, and local leaders all year long, supporting and recognizing those who keep our community running every day. One of my favorite experiences was joining our friends at Hyundai in Fountain Valley for their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. I was so happy to have my daughter with me as we worked to ensure that every family in our community could have a full plate for the holidays.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

January

As the first Vietnamese American elected to represent the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world, I was honored to celebrate Tết alongside my community in Little Saigon. Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays for Vietnamese Americans, and has come to symbolize our community's strength, resilience, and commitment to preserving our shared history. My parents were refugees who arrived in America after escaping persecution in communist Vietnam. With immense support from my family and the Vietnamese American community in Southern California, I rose from poverty to the halls of power. I am so proud to bring Vietnamese American culture and voices to Washington, and highlight our contributions to this country on the national stage.

February

I was so grateful for the opportunity to be ceremonially sworn into Congress alongside my family, local leaders, and members of our community at Cal State Fullerton, home in Orange County. Celebrating this milestone back where I grew up was such an honor, and I'm so thankful for all those who supported me and helped me become the U.S. Representative I am today. It's my privilege to serve you in Congress. Huge thank you to the Honorable Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen for officiating this memorable ceremony!

march

Joining the Islamic Society of Orange County for a community Iftar during Ramadan was such a unique and rewarding experience. The values behind Ramadan - service, generosity, and strong community bonds - were a powerful reminder of my commitment to responding to my constituents' needs and standing up for the dignity and rights of everyone in CA-45. I've always believed that food brings people together. It was such a privilege to share this special meal with our Muslim community and honor their contributions to our country.

April

In April, I was thrilled to host two back-to-back town hall meetings in Buena Park and Cerritos! Meetings like these are the perfect opportunity to understand your top priorities and bring your voices back to Washington. I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts with me by calling my office, visiting my website, and engaging with me on social media - it's the best way to ensure that your voices are informing the policies I fight for in Washington.

may

During National Small Business Week, I got the chance to meet the owners of one of my favorite hometown bakeries, Saigon Bakery in Garden Grove, and present them with a certificate of Congressional recognition. Community-based businesses are the backbone of Orange County's economy, and Saigon Bakery, like so many small businesses across CA-45, is an institution in our community. It was an honor to thank the Nguyen family firsthand for their contributions to our local economy. I'll always use my voice to ensure that our community-based entrepreneurs and businesses can access the resources they need to succeed.

june

I was proud to attend a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 at Sunburst Youth Academy, a military leadership academy located at Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos. The strength and character these cadets have shown in completing this program are the same traits leaders are made of, and I was so glad to celebrate the young folks who will shape our future for the better. Congratulations to all the graduating cadets - be proud, stay focused, and keep rising!

July

I had a great time celebrating the Fourth of July holiday at the Brea Country Fair, surrounded by my family and my community. Our democracy was founded on the courage of those willing to fight for it. Seeing our neighbors across CA-45 come together on this meaningful day was a powerful reminder of the community action that keeps our democracy the strongest in the world.

august

In August, I had the privilege of visiting the future site of the Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery – Orange County’s first-ever Veterans cemetery. Our fallen heroes have made the ultimate commitment to defending our nation, and they deserve our unwavering gratitude and respect for their sacrifices. I've written several letters urging federal support for the construction of the cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, and I'm so glad that the site has been deemed eligible for federal funding - bringing us one step closer to recognizing our Orange County Veterans with the lasting tribute they deserve. As an Army Veteran myself, and a proud member of the House Armed Services Committee, I'll always fight to duly honor our Veterans' services and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.

September

Celebrating Fiestas Patrias, recognizing independence and national pride across Latinoamerica, alongside local leaders and members of our community was so much fun. It was great to catch up with Santa Ana Councilwoman Jessie Lopez and meet the local Latino entrepreneurs whose vibrant cultures and contributions to our economy are woven into our community's fabric.

october

I was thrilled to meet so many dedicated young leaders at our Service Academy Information Night, where they had the opportunity to learn about a path of service through one of our nation’s military academies. Serving our country in the armed forces is an honor, and I've been so proud to nominate passionate students from our community for a spot at one of our prestigious service academies this coming year.

november

I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet with Bill and Molly Bracken of Bracken's Kitchen, an incredible organization in Garden Grove that works to rescue and repurpose food so every family has enough to eat and no food goes to waste. In preparation for Thanksgiving, they put together over one thousand complete holiday meals in addition to the regular 8,000 meals they prepare each day. We discussed my work to fight hunger across SoCal, and how we can continue working together to make sure that our neighbors always have enough food on the table. It was inspiring to see our community join hands to support all our neighbors this holiday season. Combating hunger in our SoCal community is a top priority for me. No family should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. If you're experiencing hunger, please visit my website to find food assistance resources near you.

december

Our Congressional App Challenge Award Ceremony was a great way to wrap up the year. I was so thrilled to announce the winners of this year's competition, Vedant and Ifeanyi, and celebrate all the amazing middle- and high-school students who submitted their app designs to the contest. Vedant and Ifeanyi designed an app called Shelter Link, which works to connect people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles with shelters and job opportunities tailored to the individual. In second place was Waste Not, a network created to help get people the things they need at little to no cost, initially inspired when its creator couldn't afford new soccer cleats and received a used pair from an older student. Little Physics Stories, which introduces physics concepts to early readers through storytelling and animation, finished in third place. When I was in high school, cell phones - not even smartphones - were still a new concept. Now, grade-school kids are designing new technology. Our young leaders' ideas showed that we can use technology to make our lives better, connect with our neighbors, and expand our horizons. I'm so proud to represent such amazing students in CA-45!

Every day that I'm in Congress, I'm fighting for policies that will make life safer, healthier, and more affordable for every family in our community. I was proud to work across the aisle to pass four bills through the House of Representatives this year, supporting our Veterans and the local entrepreneurs who keep our communities running. From lowering costs to defending essential health care and uplifting our service members and small business owners, check out all we have achieved together this year!

LOWERING COSTS

The top concern I've heard all year from members of my community when I'm back home in Orange County is that prices are just too high. This isn't a partisan issue - it should not be impossible for hard-working families to get ahead.

that's why, in 2025, i...

  • Co-founded the Congressional Lowering Costs Caucus to shine a light on common-sense legislation that addresses the rising prices facing California families;
  • Authored the Baby Food Tax Relief Act as part of the Dads Caucus's Babies Over Billionaires Initiative to eliminate harmful tariffs on essential baby feeing products and reduce costs for working parents; and
  • Introduced the Toll of Tariffs Act to expose how high tariffs are truly affecting the price of everyday goods.

Since launching the Lowering Costs Caucus, my colleagues and I have endorsed legislation to make it easier to buy a home, access lifesaving treatment, and the products new parents need to care for their children more affordable. Watch my segment on Morning Joe to learn more about my work on the Lowering Costs Caucus!

American families deserve to know that they won't have to choose between keeping food on the table and keeping their bills paid. That's why I'll keep fighting for policies like paid family leave and the expanded child tax credit to ease the cost burden on working parents. I'm committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass common-sense legislation and deliver lower prices for everyday Americans.

PROTECTING HEALTH CARE

"while we're fighting for health care, republicans are fighting for tax breaks for the billionaires."

This year, Congressional Republicans made the largest cuts to affordable health care programs this country has ever seen, risking health care access for millions of Americans. I won't stand for it. I'm using every tool I have in Congress to lower your health care costs and keep high-quality coverage affordable and accessible.

this year, i...

I've also consistently rejected legislation that would further drive up the cost of essential care for California families, including voting against the partisan government funding package that guts affordable health care through the ACA. I've advocated for the permanent extension of the ACA's tax credits in several letters to House Leadership, and am a proud signatory of Leader Jeffries's discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of the ACA's enhanced premium assistance provisions.

As a direct result of cuts to essential health care enacted in H.R. 1, the Republican tax plan, Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) was forced to eliminate their primary care service line, Melody Health. PPOSBC was forced to lay off 77 health care providers across Southern California, and over 13,000 patients are now without access to basic care. I was proud to gather health care advocates and local leaders at a press conference in October to fight back against these senseless clinic closures, and stand alongside PPOSBC Founder and CEO, Krista Hollinger, to defend the right to health care access.

"when I talk to people in the grocery store or at the barber shop, they're scared. they're scared of their health care becoming unaffordable, or just going away."

My colleagues and I are sounding the alarm on the Republican health care crisis and fighting hard every day to develop solutions that keep your health care costs low. I was proud to stand with fellow members of the California Freshman Democratic Congressional Delegation to speak out about the impacts of the Republican health care crisis on California families. I'll never stop fighting to secure the high-quality, affordable care every American deserves.

Watch the ABC7 segment below to learn more about how I'm fighting back against cuts to essential health care.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE

"AS A LAWYER, I BELIEVE IN LAW AND ORDER."

I'm proud to have introduced and supported several pieces of legislation this year to keep our law enforcement officers and first responders safe on the job, and provide them with the resources they need to thrive both on and off duty. As a lawyer, I believe in law and order. Bolstering our local law enforcement authorities and fostering a strong, transparent relationship between the community and those who keep us safe is the key to public safety.

this year, I co-led the Crisis Assistance and Resources in Emergencies (CARE) for First Responders Act

to strengthen resources and support systems for the individuals who are often first on the scene during emergencies by:

  • Ensuring access to FEMA counseling and mental health services after major disasters;
  • Funding on-site and mobile support through a grant program for mental health and substance use services;
  • Expanding an existing, confidential 24-hour hotline to provide specialized first responder support;
  • Establishing a peer counseling program at HHS to assist first responders and their families; and
  • Directing research on best practices for mental health care and suicide prevention for first responders.

i've also signed onto...

I met with deputies from the orange and LA County sheriff's departments

during National Police Week in May and discussed the urgent need to ensure fair compensation for law enforcement officers. Since then, I've signed onto multiple letters expressing support for local public safety efforts, including letters opposing President Trump’s consideration of the Insurrection Act to justify deploying federal forces to patrol U.S. cities and advocating for increased resources for state and local law enforcement agencies to perform their duties safely and effectively. In the new year, I'll remain committed to supporting our state and local law enforcement heroes on and off the job, and checking and balancing federal law enforcement actions.

As a member of the house armed services comittee, I questioned defense secretary pete hegseth

about his unsolicited deployment of National Guard troops to Southern California in June following immigration-related protests across the region. Secretary Hegseth sent federal troops to LA without adequate communication with local authorities, risking our community’s safety. I take my oversight duties on the Armed Services Committee very seriously, and demanded accountability for these actions that failed to consider the public safety hazards and disruptions to our troops' lives. Watch my full question line below:

I've also cosponsored several pieces of legislation to increase transparency in federal immigration operations, including the ICE Visibility Act and the No More Secret Police Act. Transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions are critical to build trust and understanding between community members and the authorities who work to protect them.

BOOSTING SMALL BUSINESSES

I PASSED THREE common-sense, bipartisan bills SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES

through the House this year, all of which advanced with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. These bills, which aim to ensure that small businesses across the country have the resources necessary to succeed, include:

As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I'll keep fighting to empower local entrepreneurs and small businesses across Southern California to maintain a strong economy and foster growth and opportunity in our communities.

small businesses drive american innovation. i co-led legislation to safeguard it.

California's 45th district is home to so many small businesses like Auriga Space, a pioneer in aerospace engineering whose Garden Grove facility I visited in August. My bipartisan bill, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Foreign Interference Safeguard Act, would strengthen small business due diligence programs to identify and mitigate the risk of intellectual property theft by foreign entities like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

I also voted in favor of  H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, to safeguard U.S. research and innovation and protect against Chinese intellectual property theft and defend businesses like Auriga Space from interference by malign actors.

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

"i have a duty as a congressman, as a veteran, and as a proud american, to stand up for those who have made the highest commitment to us."

The first bill i introduced in Congress was the protect veteran jobs act,

which aims to support the livelihoods of the Veterans who were wrongfully removed from their federal civil service positions. In early 2025, unelected billionaire Elon Musk led the now-dissolved Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on a reckless federal government firing spree, leaving thousands of Veterans without stable employment. As a Veteran in Congress, these wrongful terminations were personal to me. These Veterans have donned our country's uniform and put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms that we take for granted every day. They continue to answer a call to service by helping to keep our federal government running. My legislation would reinstate all the Veterans who were fired from their civil service roles without cause, restoring their livelihoods and allowing them to continue giving back to our country as part of the federal workforce.

I'm proud to have passed bipartisan legislation to support our veterans' access to education

through the G.I. bill. The Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act, introduced with Representative Tom Barrett (R-MI), would streamline the administration of veterans’ benefits awarded through the G.I. Bill and allow Veterans the option to receive G.I Bill information and benefits through electronic messages rather than traditional mail. This legislation aims to reduce unnecessary paperwork and make it easier for Veterans to access their educational benefits in the digital age. I enlisted in the Army when I was 18. The benefits I received through the G.I. Bill allowed me to pursue higher education and become the U.S. Representative I am today. Our Veterans have given everything to this country - I'm dedicated to giving back to them and fighting for legislation that secures the benefits our they have earned so they can continue learning and thriving.

I voted to raise troop pay in this year's national defense authorization act (NDAA),

a must-pass piece of legislation that maintains vital military programs and helps improve our national security. This legislation is a critical path to secure the fair pay and resources our service members deserve. As a proud member of the House Armed Services committee, I was proud to help guarantee:

  • A 3.8% pay increase for troops;
  • Improvements to child care and housing resources for military families; and
  • A $276 million authorization for Civil Military Programs like STARBASE and the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, two youth development programs with a major footprint at Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos.

This bill was not perfect; it failed to honor the time-honored bipartisan process that delivers necessary resources to small businesses that support military communities, and failed to safeguard collective bargaining rights for our troops. However, I was proud to vote in favor of the Protect America's Workforce Act, which would protect our troops' right to collectively bargain for improved conditions and passed the House with bipartisan support.

"washington Politics shouldn't determine if our troops get paid."

After House Republicans failed to negotiate a bipartisan government funding package for Fiscal Year 2026 at the end of September, the federal government shut down, forcing thousands of military personnel to continue performing their duties without pay. I was so proud to join Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) in championing the cause to secure pay for our service members during the shutdown. Getting our heroes in uniform the pay they earned is the least our government could do to honor their service to our country. Representative Vasquez and I met directly with military families whose lives were impacted by the shutdown. We heard firsthand from advocates with the National Military Family Association (NMFA), who emphasized in particular that disruptions to military pay placed extra strain on the more than 1 in 4 military families who don’t have enough to eat. The troops putting their lives on the line for our country should never have to worry if they'll receive the pay they're entitled to, let alone how they will keep food on the table. I’m grateful to the folks who shared their stories during our meeting, and, every day that I'm in Congress, I’ll keep fighting to ensure our military personnel and their families get the pay and resources they’ve earned.

CELEBRATING AAPI HERITAGE

I brought the story of black april to the nation's capitol.

April 30, 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, also known as Black April or “Tháng Tư Đen” in Vietnamese. Fifty years after the oppressive communist regime took hold of South Vietnam on April 30, 1975, and fifty years since the first wave mass immigration out of Vietnam, I was honored to recognize the sacrifices and resilience of the Vietnamese refugee community and highlight the diaspora’s significant contributions to our nation. I hosted and participated in a series of events in Washington, the seat of American power, in observance of Black April. I was proud to announce my introduction of a Congressional Resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of Black April at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. I then welcomed Vietnamese human rights activists and former prisoners of conscience to a roundtable discussion on the state of civil rights in Vietnam, and reaffirmed my commitment for fighting for the release of prisoners of conscience around the world. Through the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project, I've had the opportunity to sponsor the case of imprisoned Vietnamese journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan - a significant step in my continued efforts to secure the freedom of individuals detained for exercising their civil rights. We concluded the evening with a ceremony commemorating the lasting cultural significance of Black April, where community leaders gathered to share personal journeys of struggles, triumphs and resilience. It's such an honor to be a voice for the Vietnamese community in Washington and ensure that our shared past is preserved forever.

2025 also marked 50 years since the first southeast asian refugee arrived in america.

In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Secret Wars in Laos, and the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, over a million Southeast Asians fled their homes to escape war, genocide, ethnic and political persecution, and famine. Today, over 3 million Southeast Asian American refugees and their families reside in the U.S. and have made innumerable contributions to our military, economy, and social culture. I was honored to stand alongside Senator Mazie Hirono to introduce a Congressional resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement to the U.S. and formally recognizing our communities’ legacy in this nation. My parents fled persecution in communist Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy. This country gave them the chance to rebuild, and provided me with the foundation I needed to become the father, Veteran, small business owner, and Congressman I’m proud to be today. For generations, America has represented freedom, hope, and opportunity for so many Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant families like my own. We’ve turned that opportunity into innovation and progress that have put our whole nation ahead in just 50 short years.

"I was honored to stand alongside Senator Mazie Hirono to introduce a Congressional resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement to the U.S. and formally recognizing our communities’ legacy in this nation."

The resolution acknowledges the atrocities and widespread violence that forced millions to flee Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam 50 years ago, and recognizes the profound impact these communities have had on American culture and society since then. It also honors the sacrifices made by Southeast Asian Americans to defend the United States, and pledges support for comprehensive policies to expand educational, economic, and political opportunities for Southeast Asian citizens, immigrants, and refugees.

I led a resolution recognizing june 19, 2025 As vietnam armed forces day,

commemorating the sacrifices and contributions of military personnel who fought to defend South Vietnam from North Vietnamese communist forces. Veterans of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day, or Ngày Quân Lực in Vietnamese, is a day symbolizing not only the formation of the Republic’s military but also the spirit of resilience that defines the Vietnamese people. I was proud to introduce this resolution and honor the legacy of our fallen heroes while recommitting to the ongoing fight for freedom and democracy at home and abroad.

I also fought to formally recognize the vietnamese heritage flag,

an emblem of cultural identity, freedom, and the struggle for democracy and human rights. My Congressional resolution acknowledges the Vietnamese heritage flag as the official symbol of the Vietnamese American refugee community, and of the Republic of Vietnam Veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in defense of freedom and democracy during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese heritage flag is not just a reminder of a shared experience of loss among the Vietnamese community – the loss of our homes, our livelihoods, and our beloved country after the fall of Saigon – it’s a reminder of our strength, determination, and resilience. Our heritage flag symbolizes the grit and determination rooted in our community, and how far we have come despite immeasurable odds. As the first Vietnamese American to represent Orange County’s Little Saigon in Congress, I am proud to preserve my community's heritage before our nation.

THANK YOU

FOR AN INCREDIBLE FIRST YEAR IN CONGRESS, AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED TRUST AND SUPPORT AS I WORK TO REPRESENT YOU IN WASHINGTON.

We faced a world of challenges together this year, but together, we have triumphed and achieved real wins for our community. From putting money back in your pocket to fighting for policies that keep our communities healthy and safe, I'm so proud of what we've accomplished together this year. I can't wait to keep delivering for you in 2026. Happy New Year!

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