Tran, Derek

Derek Tran is a first-term Democratic representative from California's 45th congressional district, representing the first Vietnamese American to represent the state. As Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee's Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee, Tran leads the Democratic opposition within this panel, which oversees small business policy, federal contracting, and agency accountability. This role gives him significant influence over the subcommittee's agenda and allows him to shape investigations and legislative priorities on behalf of the minority party.

Tran brings substantial relevant experience to this position. Born in Los Angeles County to Vietnamese refugee parents, he served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve, including activation for Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and finance from Bentley University and a law degree from Glendale University College of Law. Before entering Congress, Tran worked as a consumer rights attorney, founded his own law practice, and co-owns an independent pharmacy with his wife. He also served as a traffic commissioner for the City of Orange and on the board of the Consumer Attorneys Association.

Since taking office in January 2025, Tran has actively advanced bipartisan legislation focused on small business support and innovation. As Ranking Member, he has co-led multiple bills that passed the House with overwhelming majorities, including the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act to increase transparency in the Small Business Administration's loan programs, the Plain Language in Contracting Act to simplify federal contracting for small businesses, and the SBIR Foreign Interference Safeguard Act to protect small business intellectual property from foreign entities. He has also held the Small Business Administration accountable during committee hearings, questioning administrators about funding cuts and program eliminations affecting small businesses in his district.

Tran also serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a member of the Readiness and Intelligence and Special Operations subcommittees. His legislative profile reflects strong constituent engagement and a focus on national security, small business support, and economic issues affecting Southern California. He maintains high attendance in Congress and is active in multiple caucuses including the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force.