Representative Tran Returns Over $3 Million to Constituents
Fullerton, CA – U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) recently facilitated the return of nearly $3 million in funding owed to the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, bringing the total amount returned to constituents within Tran’s first year in office to $3,352,650.18.
The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at California State University, Fullerton, provides Orange County’s local startups and entrepreneurs with cost-free workforce development, loan assistance, and consulting resources that support businesses. The SBDC program is a federal program funded through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Orange County Inland Empire SBDC recently faced a delay in funding from the SBA totaling $2,965,462.66, hindering its ability to deliver services to small businesses. Representative Tran’s office opened an inquiry with the SBA on behalf of the SBDC and successfully returned the full amount of owed funding to the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC.
“My number one priority will always be to bring resources back to my district and support the people of CA-45. Despite the gridlock in Washington, I’m proud that my office is working so diligently with our community to cut through the red tape and ensure that our district gets the resources we deserve. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our community – 99% of Orange County businesses are locally owned. It's vital that local business owners have the tools they need to turn their ideas into action,” said Representative Derek Tran. “Orange County’s Small Business Development Center provides professional and high-quality support to new businesses across Southern California. I’m proud to lead an incredible team so dedicated to getting the Orange County SBDC the funding they need to help our small businesses and local economy thrive.”
“We were facing a significant delay on a payment from the federal government, which had become a pressing concern for our university. Your swift and decisive action in resolving this matter was truly remarkable,” said Mike Daniel, Network Director for the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC. “Thanks to your efforts, the payment was processed within days, providing immense relief and stability to our institution. Your commitment to assisting us during this challenging time has made a profound impact, and we are truly grateful for your unwavering support and advocacy. Thank you once again for your exceptional service and for being a steadfast ally to our university and the SBDC!”
As a small business owner himself, Representative Tran remains dedicated to uplifting small businesses in Congress. Tran serves as Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and has introduced several bipartisan pieces of legislation to ensure that small businesses across the country have the resources necessary to succeed, including:
H.R. 4775, the SBIR Foreign Interference Safeguard Act, introduced with Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-02), would strengthen small business due diligence programs, which identify and mitigate the risk of intellectual property theft by foreign entities like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
H.R. 787, the Plain Language in Contracting Act, introduced alongside Representative Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), would require contracting opportunities for small businesses to be written in clear, accessible language;
H.R. 832, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act, introduced with Representative Roger Williams (R-TX-25), would ensure that the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration represents the interests of American small businesses before foreign governments; and
H.R. 1642, the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act, co-led with Representative Roger Williams, would make it easier for small businesses to recruit and retain a strong workforce of graduates from career and technical education programs.
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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.