Representative Tran Rejects Funding Bill that Increases Energy Costs for American Families

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) voted against H.R. 4533, the Energy and Water appropriations bill. The bill, which allocates federal funding for energy security and other critical investments in our nation's infrastructure, will hike home energy costs for American families and stymie our nation's transition to a green energy economy while other countries continue those investments.

This bill slashes funding for the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs, limiting consumers' utility choices and creating barriers to low-cost renewable energy access, causing home energy costs to skyrocket.

"I came to Congress to find solutions that make life more affordable for families across Orange and LA Counties. I rejected this legislation because it will drive up costs for hard-working families, that's unacceptable," said Representative Tran. "By cutting funding for affordable renewable energy access initiatives, this legislation not only drives up costs for everyday Americans, but poses a significant setback to American energy independence. This reckless funding bill will only make it harder for families to make ends meet."

The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 advanced through the House with a vote of 213-214.

Since taking office, Representative Tran has also been focused on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and championed legislation to bring down prices for working families. Alongside Representatives Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Greg Landsman (OH-01), Tran introduced the Toll of Tariffs Act,which would assess the impacts of President Trump's trade policies on the cost of goods for everyday American families. In July, as part of the Congressional Dads Caucus's 'Babies Over Billionaires' initiative, he introduced theBaby Food Tax Relief Actto exempt essential baby food products-including highchairs, bottles, and formula-from President Trump's tariffs. Tran also joined Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) to introduce theKeep Kids Covered Act, which would ensure uninterrupted access to affordable health care for all children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. He has consistently rejected legislation that would increase the cost of basic necessities like food and health care, includingvoting againstthe Republican budget proposal that would eliminate billions in funding for Medicaid and SNAP.

Tran recently launched theCongressional Lowering Costs Caucuswith Representatives Scholten and Landsman, where he will continue to work with his colleagues to develop solutions to make life more affordable for American families. Tran also serves on the New Democrat Coalition's Economic Growth and Cost of Living Working Group and the Congressional Dads Caucus, which aims to ease the cost burden on working parents by advocating for the expanded child tax credit, affordable child care, and paid family leave.

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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.