2024 California (CA-45) US House of Representatives Voters Guide

Michelle Steel (R) vs Derek Tran (D)

US House | Election | Nov 5, 2024

The Candidates

Michelle Steel

Michelle Steel

Republican

Incumbent
Derek Tran

Derek Tran

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Michelle Steel (R)

Ban. Voted against guaranteeing abortion access across state lines. Voted against protecting access to abortion. Sponsored the Life at Conception Act, a national abortion ban, but withdrew support since it threatened In Vitro Fertilization, which she supports.

Derek Tran (D)

Legal.Is 100% pro-choice and will…protect funding for Planned Parenthood and access to critical women’s health services like birth control.” Supports turning Roe v. Wade into law.

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Michelle Steel (R)

Mostly no. Opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which committed $369 billion to address climate change. Said banning new gas stations to combat climate change will lead to higher gas prices. Voted to not require major federal contractors to disclose climate emissions. Listed her endorsement from the American Conservation Coalition, focused on nuclear power as the main climate solution.

Derek Tran (D)

Yes. Supports clean energy and “increased investment into climate solutions” to “fight the effects of climate change.” “We need to get rid of our reliance on fossil fuels.”

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Michelle Steel (R)

Sponsored the JUSTICE Act, supporting funding for body-worn cameras, law enforcement accountability, and de-escalation training. “I am committed to cracking down on criminals…. Police need MORE funds, not less.”

Derek Tran (D)

Wants more police on the streets to “crack down on rising crime and put dangerous criminals in prison.” Seeks “more investments in violence prevention and rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of crime.”

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Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Michelle Steel (R)

Decrease. Would fight “burdensome and unnecessary federal regulations that stifle business growth and job creation.” Is “fighting out-of-touch socialist policies that are driving up inflation.” Government should live within its means.

Derek Tran (D)

Likely increase. “I plan on pushing common-sense legislation to make our economy work for everyone.” Supports the Inflation Reduction Act and similar laws “to make the economy work.”

Click To Share Stance

Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Michelle Steel (R)

Mixed. Opposes “radical progressive anti-energy policies” and “green corporate handouts.” Would “ensure our beaches, harbors, and oceans stay clean.”

Derek Tran (D)

Tighten. “Will fight for clean energy, clean water, clean air, and a safe and healthy environment” and “never take a dime from the fossil fuel industry.” “Will work with our industry partners to promote sustainable energy production and consumption.”

Click To Share Stance

Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Michelle Steel (R)

Loosen. Voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which tightened background checks and offered grants to states for “red flag” laws and crisis prevention programs. Voted against expanding background checks for private gun sales.

Derek Tran (D)

Tighten. Would “stand up to the gun lobby” and address the gun violence epidemic. Supports “universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.”

Click To Share Stance

Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Michelle Steel (R)

Mixed. Supports a “market-based” health system and opposes single-payer government medical insurance. Supports expanding access to telehealth for Medicare patients. Supports lowering prescription drug costs, but voted against a bipartisan bill to cap insulin prices.

Derek Tran (D)

Increase. Supports lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prices. “Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.”

Click To Share Stance

Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Michelle Steel (R)

Supports increased immigration restrictions. Biden policies allow “millions of illegal migrants to take advantage of our weak border.” “Border security is national security.” Unclear about DACA citizenship. Wrote to Immigration Services protesting a delay in processing DACA employment renewals.

Derek Tran (D)

Would “modernize our asylum process; create…pathways to citizenship for undocumented [DACA] Dreamers” and others. Would ensure border agents have the numbers and “necessary resources to efficiently and humanely process migrant claims.”

Click To Share Stance

Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Michelle Steel (R)

Harder. Sponsored a bill placing restrictions on unions. Voted against the PRO Act, which would protect union organizing and collective bargaining.

Derek Tran (D)

Easier.All workers should be able to join a union.” The PRO Act would give “workers a chance to negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions.”

Click To Share Stance

LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Michelle Steel (R)

Limit. Voted against prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Voted against federally recognizing same-sex marriage.

Derek Tran (D)

Expand. “Will fight… against extremists who want to… “discriminate against LGBTQ” communities.

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Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Michelle Steel (R)

Ban. Voted against decriminalizing marijuana. Voted against ending penalties for banks that serve legitimate cannabis businesses.

Derek Tran (D)

No position found.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Michelle Steel (R)

No. Opposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15. Introduced a bill ending minimum wage rights for gig workers.

Derek Tran (D)

Yes.Will fight to make the minimum wage a living wage.”

Click To Share Stance

Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Michelle Steel (R)

Unclear. Opposes student loan forgiveness; it will “cost taxpayers billions of dollars.” Student debt is “not sustainable for students and families. Congress must make reforms.”

Derek Tran (D)

No position found.

Click To Share Stance

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Michelle Steel (R)

No position found specifically on taxing the wealthy and corporations. Supports lower taxes for “working Americans and small businesses.”

Derek Tran (D)

Likely raise. Supports “going after”greedy and harmful corporations.” Wants “more transparency to stop corporations from buying elections,” with tax cuts for “middle-class families and small businesses.”

Click To Share Stance

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Michelle Steel (R)

Harder. Voted against expanding voter registration and voting access in 2022 and 2021.

Derek Tran (D)

Easier. “Will work to strengthen voting rights for every American and defend our free and fair elections.”

Click To Share Stance

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We have space for candidates polling 15% or more. Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

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Michelle Steel

republican Party

Candidate Image

Derek Tran

democratic Party

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Michelle Steel

republican

Derek Tran

democratic

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://michellesteelca.com/ https://www.derektranforcongress.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Ban. Voted against guaranteeing abortion access across state lines. Voted against protecting access to abortion. Sponsored the Life at Conception Act, a national abortion ban, but withdrew support since it threatened In Vitro Fertilization, which she supports.Legal.Is 100% pro-choice and will…protect funding for Planned Parenthood and access to critical women’s health services like birth control.” Supports turning Roe v. Wade into law.
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Mostly no. Opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which committed $369 billion to address climate change. Said banning new gas stations to combat climate change will lead to higher gas prices. Voted to not require major federal contractors to disclose climate emissions. Listed her endorsement from the American Conservation Coalition, focused on nuclear power as the main climate solution.Yes. Supports clean energy and “increased investment into climate solutions” to “fight the effects of climate change.” “We need to get rid of our reliance on fossil fuels.”
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Sponsored the JUSTICE Act, supporting funding for body-worn cameras, law enforcement accountability, and de-escalation training. “I am committed to cracking down on criminals…. Police need MORE funds, not less.”Wants more police on the streets to “crack down on rising crime and put dangerous criminals in prison.” Seeks “more investments in violence prevention and rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of crime.”
Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Decrease. Would fight “burdensome and unnecessary federal regulations that stifle business growth and job creation.” Is “fighting out-of-touch socialist policies that are driving up inflation.” Government should live within its means.Likely increase. “I plan on pushing common-sense legislation to make our economy work for everyone.” Supports the Inflation Reduction Act and similar laws “to make the economy work.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Mixed. Opposes “radical progressive anti-energy policies” and “green corporate handouts.” Would “ensure our beaches, harbors, and oceans stay clean.”Tighten. “Will fight for clean energy, clean water, clean air, and a safe and healthy environment” and “never take a dime from the fossil fuel industry.” “Will work with our industry partners to promote sustainable energy production and consumption.”
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Loosen. Voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which tightened background checks and offered grants to states for “red flag” laws and crisis prevention programs. Voted against expanding background checks for private gun sales.Tighten. Would “stand up to the gun lobby” and address the gun violence epidemic. Supports “universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.”
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Mixed. Supports a “market-based” health system and opposes single-payer government medical insurance. Supports expanding access to telehealth for Medicare patients. Supports lowering prescription drug costs, but voted against a bipartisan bill to cap insulin prices.Increase. Supports lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prices. “Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.”
Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Supports increased immigration restrictions. Biden policies allow “millions of illegal migrants to take advantage of our weak border.” “Border security is national security.” Unclear about DACA citizenship. Wrote to Immigration Services protesting a delay in processing DACA employment renewals.Would “modernize our asylum process; create…pathways to citizenship for undocumented [DACA] Dreamers” and others. Would ensure border agents have the numbers and “necessary resources to efficiently and humanely process migrant claims.”
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Harder. Sponsored a bill placing restrictions on unions. Voted against the PRO Act, which would protect union organizing and collective bargaining.Easier.All workers should be able to join a union.” The PRO Act would give “workers a chance to negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions.”
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Limit. Voted against prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Voted against federally recognizing same-sex marriage.Expand. “Will fight… against extremists who want to… “discriminate against LGBTQ” communities.
Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Ban. Voted against decriminalizing marijuana. Voted against ending penalties for banks that serve legitimate cannabis businesses.No position found.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

No. Opposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15. Introduced a bill ending minimum wage rights for gig workers.Yes.Will fight to make the minimum wage a living wage.”
Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Unclear. Opposes student loan forgiveness; it will “cost taxpayers billions of dollars.” Student debt is “not sustainable for students and families. Congress must make reforms.”No position found.
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

No position found specifically on taxing the wealthy and corporations. Supports lower taxes for “working Americans and small businesses.”Likely raise. Supports “going after”greedy and harmful corporations.” Wants “more transparency to stop corporations from buying elections,” with tax cuts for “middle-class families and small businesses.”
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Harder. Voted against expanding voter registration and voting access in 2022 and 2021.Easier. “Will work to strengthen voting rights for every American and defend our free and fair elections.”

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