Welcome to Catch Up With Young Kim, my weekly e-newsletter to get you the latest on my work for you in Congress.

As always, my team and I are here to serve you. If you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. I also encourage you to receive real-time updates on my work for you in Congress by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.

This week the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA), to fund our national defense and ensure our troops are mission-ready and have the tools and training they need to combat threats at home and abroad. 

I am proud to support this bill to ensure our troops have the tools and training they need to combat any threat that comes our way – whether on land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace. As we see our rogue regimes in China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran increasing aggression, the United States must be able to lead – and we cannot do so if we fail to fund our military.

I'm humbled to be featured among The Hill's 23 Changemakers for 2023.

I didn't get here because I check a box. I'm here because I work my butt off.

I'm fighting to pay it forward and keep the American dream alive for future generations. 

Included in the NDAA that passed the House this week, is my bill, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is Not a Developing Country Act, which aims to ensure the United States opposes the PRC’s developing country status.

The PRC uses its developing country status to undermine the international rules-based order, receive a disproportionate share of aid from international treaties and organizations, and exploit developing countries through its debt diplomacy. We cannot sit idly by as the PRC – which has the second largest economy in the world – exercises undue influence on the global stage and carries out its economic coercion campaign on nations that are actually developing.

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this critical bipartisan, bicameral bill to help hold the PRC accountable and ensure American values lead the way in supporting developing countries around the world.

My heart mourns with the families of Hamas hostages that are still in Gaza in Hamas' custody. 

Their stories are real and horrifying. I will continue to amplify their voices and fight to bring their loved ones home. 

I caught up with local solar energy providers in town with the Solar Energy Industries Association to hear about the amazing energy innovation happening in CA-40 and how we can expand our energy supply. 
  
We need an all-of-the-above energy approach to lower costs, create jobs, and secure supply chains. 

Chinese imports of sanctioned Iranian oil are running at the highest level in at least a decade. Rouge countries like Iran, China, and Russia continue to use tactics to evade sanctions.

At this week's Financial Services Committee hearing, I pressed on how we can strengthen sanctions against these regimes and keep the U.S leading on the world stage. 

My bipartisan bill with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to support pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders passed the House this week!

I'll keep fighting to get this across the finish line. Moms are warriors who keep our communities running and deserve our support.

City sidewalks are dressed in holiday style! Team Young enjoyed celebrating the Tustin 2023 Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll. Thank you to the Parks and Recreation department for spreading holiday cheer in Old Town Tustin!

I caught up with Anaheim Mayor, Ashleigh Aitken, in DC to discuss local community projects and preparation for LA 2028 Olympic Games! Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to continuing to work together to serve our community.

Team Young joined the Orange Chamber of Commerce to welcome Goodwill of Orange County to Orange! Thank you to President Nicole Suydam for opening the new location in CA-40 in time for the holiday season.

I was honored to speak on the House floor this week, to thank Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his steadfast leadership and service to our state and nation.

He's the reason we have a House majority today and has had my back since day one.

I always say the GOP is the Grand Opportunity Party, and that’s because of members like Kevin who are committed to promoting commonsense policies to get our country back on track, make life affordable, keep our communities safe, and protect the American dream.

Thank you, Kevin. I wish you the best in your next chapter and know you’re just getting started!

I visited the Tustin Hangar site and Command Center at City Hall to hear updates from Orange County Fire Authority Chief Wiedensohler, Tustin Mayor Lumbard, and Acting City Manager Bernard.

I'm closely monitoring the impacts of the fire and working to protect CA-40 public health and safety. Please reach out to my office at (714) 984-2440 if you have any questions or need assistance. I also encourage you to visit the Tustin Hangar Resource Page to stay up to date with the latest updated on the Tustin Hangar.

Wishing a Hanukkah Sameach to our Jewish friends in CA-40 and around the world!

I hope this Festival of Lights brings peace, joy, happiness, and good health to you and your loved ones. Happy Hanukkah!

Are you traveling over the holidays or planning travel for next year? Stop what you’re doing and check your passport!  

The State Department recently announced that passport processing times are between to 7-10 weeks for routine passports and 3-5 weeks for expedited processing.

  
Travelers are encouraged to wait to book international travel until a valid passport is physically in hand, apply for a new or renewed passport 9 months prior to travel, and ensure that their passport doesn’t expire within 6 months of their international travel dates.

 
If your pending application was filed with routine service and you have upcoming travel, you may benefit from upgrading to expedited service. Please dial (877) 487-2778 to upgrade to expedited service and shipping.  

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if we can assist you in any way at (714) 984-2440.  

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution as tensions around the world increase the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. 

U.S. citizens should:

• Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter and visit travel.state.gov.

If you are traveling abroad or are abroad please check the destination warning levels travel.state.gov, and be sure to register for the STEP program even if you are abroad. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at my website or at (714) 984-2440 if you have any questions or need assistance.

If you need help with a federal agency, please reach out to my office. We’re here to serve you always.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Young Kim