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

Since I came to Congress, I've been fighting to bring common sense to Washington, break through the partisan gridlock, and get things done. I’m proud that my record shows my commitment to deliver results to California’s 40th district, while also sticking to my principles. 

As we embark on this new year, I would love to hear from you and know what matters most to you in 2024. Share your thoughts and take my 2024 priorities survey below!

Serving you in Congress is not a role I take lightly. I’m working hard to pay it forward, so the American dream remains alive for future generations, including my grandkids, and yours.

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.

I am so humbled to fight for our Southern California communities in Congress. Serving you is not a job I take lightly, which is why Team Young has had our sleeves rolled up since day one.

We’re just getting started delivering results for CA-40. Take a look:

While he is no longer with us, his legacy of selfless service to our country and community lives on through his wife Jessica, six children, and his Veteran Air family.

My office named Shihan (Sophia) Fu, a high school junior from Lake Forest, the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 40th District. I am very impressed by the 21 students in California's 40th District who participated in the 2023 Congressional App Challenge, and I am inspired by the creative ideas behind each app that would truly make a difference in people’s lives.

Sophia created the "Trashbot” app to help encourage her peers to recycle after noticing that her peers at school were rushing to throw trash away, causing many recyclables to go into the trash instead of recycle bins. Her app uses the machine learning model to decide whether an object is recyclable or non-recyclable. 

Sophia’s app, ‘Trashbot,’ not only encourages recycling at a young age but shows an impressive use of STEM concepts to help improve our environment and decrease waste in our communities.

I will always work to promote STEM and fight to expand educational opportunities so future generations can get good-paying jobs, achieve their dream, and boost U.S. competitiveness.

I enjoyed touring Mission Viejo's The Home Depot, the oldest location in Orange County, to learn more about their quality services and how they're combatting rising retail theft. Thanks for having me! 

I caught up with Orange County Sheriff's Department deputies in RSM on their efforts to stop organized retail crime during the holidays and protect our communities. I’m committed to doing all I can in Congress to make their jobs easier.

Thank you to our law enforcement for keeping us safe.

Zov's Restaurant has been a Tustin staple for decades, offering amazing Mediterranean cuisine, pastries, and platters perfect for the holidays.

Provisions Deli and Bottle shop is a awesome place in Orange to catch up with friends over delicious food and drinks.

I was proud to recognize both of these amazing businesses for all they do for our community and will always be a voice for CA-40 small businesses in Congress.

Thank you to all of our Lake Forest businesses that keep our community running and create CA-40 jobs!

Team Young joined the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce to show our appreciation for our Lake Forest small businesses.

Thank you to National CORE and Hope Through Housing Foundation for bringing holiday cheer to Villa Plumosa in Yorba Linda! I had so much fun distributing toys and seeing bright smiles on so many kids’ faces. I appreciate all that you do to provide affordable housing and uplift our communities.

Team Young volunteered at Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration!

In Congress, I will always be a loud voice for our seniors and am working to protect and strengthen the programs seniors rely on and have rightfully earned.

The halls were decked at the Mission Viejo Civic Center for the Holiday Mix and Jingle featuring a Christmas market, snow play area, and even Santa's workshop!

Let's be clear: Jimmy Lai’s trial in Hong Kong today is just the latest case of Beijing using its "national security law" to coerce, silence, bully, and punish dissenters of its regime and keep its grip on power.

I am pleased to share a great opportunity for educators in CA-40 and our state: K-12 teachers and higher education faculty across the country can apply to attend professional development programs funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Selected educators will be able to develop new teaching methods while diving deeply into a humanities topic through one- to four-week residential, virtual, and combined format programs.
 
This summer, NEH is offering 44 programs on a variety of humanities topics ranging from Shakespeare to the Space Age. Applicants will receive an invaluable experience for educators to deepen their understanding of the humanities and learn new ways to incorporate that knowledge into their teaching. The application deadline for all 44 programs is March 5.
 

Are you traveling planning travel for this year? Stop what you’re doing and check your passport!  

Processing times are now 6-8 weeks (routine) or 2-3 weeks (expedited, not incl. shipping). Start your renewal or application at travel.state.gov/passport.

Passport processing times are the fastest they’ve been since March 2020. Take advantage and apply or renew now so that you’re ready for international travel in the new year. 

Travel Tip -- Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your departure. Look up your destination’s entry requirements at travel.state.gov/destination and check your passport expiration date before booking flights.

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