Derek Tran

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, in 1787, after the Second Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin was asked: Do we have a monarchy or a republic? He solemnly replied: a republic, if you can keep it. For nearly 250 years, those immortal words have lived at the heart of our Republic. Representative democracy is not just something that appears, it doesn't happen by accident, and it isn't maintained by sheer inertia. We have to fight each and every day to maintain it. I am the child of refugees. My parents came to this country from Communist Vietnam in search of the very freedoms that had been ripped away from them in the country of their birth. I joined the Army when I was 18 years old because I wanted to protect the freedoms that have given me so much. I fear that this President does not share this same commitment to our Republic. He seems not to care whether we keep it or not, as long as his personal political desires are met. This is a trying time for our Republic, and I invite my Republican colleagues and the rest of America to join me in fighting to keep our Republic.

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding. I rise to urge my colleagues across the aisle to show some humanity and compassion to the thousands of veterans who have been recklessly dismissed from their civil service jobs at the political whim of this administration. The men and women who serve our country deserve our unwavering support, not broken promises. The indiscriminate firing of veterans by the Trump administration and Elon Musk dishonors the unwavering commitment that these public servants have dedicated to our country. These heroes stepped up for us, and now we must stand up for them. This issue is deeply personal to me. I am the son of Vietnamese refugees who fled war and persecution in search of safety and a better life in America. This country welcomed them and gave me the chance to succeed. I joined the Army out of a sense of duty to my country because I wanted to give back to the country that gave me so much. I wanted to protect the very principles of freedom, justice, and decency that we hold dear. However, I don't see these values in the actions by the Trump administration. I see only chaos, fear, and cruelty. I have a duty as a Congressman, a veteran, and a proud American to stand up for those who made the highest commitment to us. That is why last week I introduced my first bill, the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, to reinstate veterans who were recklessly terminated without cause under the Trump administration's purge of the Federal workplace. My bill will also hold the executive branch accountable for any future terminations that may occur. This isn't about politics. This is about basic decency. This is about treating our veterans with the dignity they deserve. Veterans make up over 30 percent of the Federal workforce, and when they are unjustly removed, it impacts all of us. From delays in healthcare services and disability claims to staffing shortages at the VA, the consequences for American families and servicemembers are dire. Veterans have always had our backs. It is time we step up to have theirs. I urge my Republican colleagues to join us in opposing the previous question so that we can take up this important measure to restore the livelihoods of veterans who have served our country honorably and who have continued to do so through civilian service. Let's reverse course immediately and get these veterans their jobs back.

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to announce that the first bill I will introduce as a Member of Congress is the Protect Veteran Jobs Act. The men and women who serve our country deserve our unwavering support, not broken promises. The indiscriminate firing of veterans by the Trump administration and Elon Musk's DOGE dishonors the unwavering commitment that these public servants have dedicated to our country. These heroes stepped up for us, and now, we must stand up for them. This issue is deeply personal to me. I am the son of Vietnamese refugees who fled war and persecution in search of safety and a better life in America. This country welcomed them and gave me the chance to succeed. I joined the Army out of sense of duty to my country because I wanted to give back to the country that gave me so much. I wanted to protect the very principles of freedom, justice, and decency that we hold dear. I don't see those values in the actions by the Trump administration. I see only division, fear, and cruelty. I have a duty as a Congressman, as a veteran, and as a proud American to stand up for those who made the highest commitment to us. It is my honor to introduce the Protect Veteran Jobs Act to reinstate veterans who were recklessly terminated under the Trump administration's dishonorable purge of the Federal workplace and hold the executive branch accountable for any future terminations that may occur. This isn't about politics. This is about basic decency. Veterans make up 30 percent of the Federal workplace, and when they are unjustly removed, it impacts all of us. From delays in healthcare and disability claims to staffing shortages at the VA, the consequences are dire. Mr. Speaker, veterans have our backs, and we must have theirs. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important bill. Veterans gave everything for us. It is time we give back to them.

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 832, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act. This bipartisan bill would provide small businesses with improved access to international markets by expanding the function and duties of SBA's Office of Advocacy. In particular, the bill authorizes the office to represent the views and interests of small businesses in international discussions and analyze international economic data for the benefit of America's small business owners. As the world becomes more and more connected, participating in the global economy is vital to small businesses' success. I proudly represent California's 45th Congressional District, an international hub for America's small businesses. Businesses in my district connect with diverse companies and international markets every day and are a dynamic part of the economic engine driving southern California. Over 90,000 small businesses call Orange County home, including many in Little Saigon, where exporting and importing goods and working with partners overseas is an important part of their success and allows them to grow. This bill would ensure that small businesses have a strong voice advocating on their behalf regarding international matters and help us to better understand how international economies impact our Nation's small businesses. I am proud to be a co-lead on this bill, and I thank Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velazquez for working together to advance this bill to the floor, as well as my colleagues Congressman Van Drew from New Jersey and Congresswoman Goodlander from New Hampshire, for working with me to improve SBA's Office of Advocacy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill.

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish all those who celebrate a happy lunar new year. Lunar new year is observed by many Asian countries around the world, including the incredible east and southeast Asian communities in my district. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I represent Little Saigon in Orange County, California. I am especially proud to don my ao dai today, which is traditional garb that is worn to celebrate special occasions such as Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year. The ao dai represents our cultural identity and heritage. Tet is a time to reflect on the past, to embrace new beginnings, and to eat a lot of really good food. It is a vibrant celebration brimming with parades, festivals, and firecrackers. What is more, it is a celebration of family, tradition, and the enduring spirit of hope. It is a time to express kindness and well- wishes to each other. So as the Vietnamese saying goes: ``Chuc mung nam moi. An khang thinh vuong va van su nhu y.'' (English translation of Vietnamese is as follows: ``Happy new year, wishing you peace and prosperity, and may all your wishes come true.'')

Mr. TRAN

Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deepest sympathies to the residents of Los Angeles County and Ventura County who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in southern California. I deeply appreciate the firefighters, first responders, and local leaders who have been working tirelessly to battle these fires. I was proud to join bipartisan Members of the California delegation in urging President Biden to grant a major disaster declaration for our State. These funds are urgently needed to help families that have lost everything in the wake of these wildfires. I am truly appalled that some in Congress are seeking to impose political conditions on aid for wildfire victims in their time of need. It is cruel, and it is just not right. What is more, I am here to remind all of my colleagues that California contributes far more in Federal tax revenue than it receives back in spending. Mr. Speaker, in times of crisis, my home State has always been there to support other States unconditionally. Californians deserve the same disaster relief without any political strings attached. Time is of the essence.