Representative Tran Rejects Legislation that Weakens Military Readiness, Undermines National Security
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) voted against H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026. The legislation requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to make drastic cuts, undermining U.S. military readiness by eliminating key civil service positions within DOD, limiting health care access for service members, and empowering our global adversaries by cutting resources to allied forces abroad.
H.R. 4016 directs DOD to identify $7.75 billion in cuts, which will negatively impact pay for service members, defense health programs, and the technological innovation needed to adequately arm U.S. troops. These provisions weaken our armed forces’ preparedness and cuts to programs like the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative signal to China, Russia, and Iran that the United States is abandoning our global leadership role while our adversaries increase their aggression.
“As a veteran, I know firsthand that our military’s greatest asset is its people. Adequately supporting our troops is key to ensuring that our military remains the greatest fighting force in the world. Slashing service members’ pay, eliminating critical support positions, and restricting access to essential health care for military personnel breaks our commitment to the people who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. This legislation harms our ability to recruit and retain the best talent in the face of growing threats from China, Russia, and Iran. This bill falls far short of the resources and services that our military deserves, and I will continue to demand better for my constituents,” said Representative Tran.
Representative Tran introduced an amendment to H.R.4016 to prohibit the use of funding to assign active-duty service members to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos (JFTB-LA), which is housed in California’s 45th district, in response to President Trump’s reckless order to deploy military troops to Los Angeles. House Republicans did not allow a vote on the amendment, and it was not included in the bill considered by the House. H.R.4016 passed in the House by a vote of 221-209 on July 18, 2025.
Serving his first term in Congress, Representative Tran serves on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, overseeing the Department of Defense. Tran was recently named co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force, which will bring together expertise in Congress to develop policy solutions to the most pressing national security challenges facing our country. Representative Tran enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 18 and served for eight years, during which time he was activated for Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom before earning an honorable discharge.
Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.