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.

The brave men and women of our local law enforcement run into harm’s way every day to protect our communities. 
 
This week, I helped introduce a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and improve the COPS on the Beat grant program, which directly assists local law enforcement agencies to hire law enforcement officers and help with community policing and training. I am proud to support this important program to ensure our local law enforcement has the team, tools, and training needed to meet our communities’ needs.

Let me be clear: there is nothing fair, humane, or compassionate about the Biden administration’s border policies.

The numbers are startling, and the stories are heartbreaking. I am fighting for solutions and urge the Biden administration to do the same.

Team Young was pleased to welcome and recognize new businesses in CA-40. 

I am proud to represent so many small businesses and entrepreneurs in Congress and will continue to be a strong voice for hard working CA-40 families. 

Thank you to Orange County Water District General Manager Mike Markus for his 35 years of dedicated service to the District and tireless work to ensure access to clean water for our Orange County communities. 

I have appreciated our partnership and wish you all the best in your retirement! 

Artificial intelligence has already proven to present both opportunities and risks.

I look forward to productive conversations on the House Financial Services Committee bipartisan AI Working Group to promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure U.S. values lead the way.

California is responsible for one-third of the nation's total homelessness population.

I pressed the Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Fudge on solutions to mitigate the homelessness crisis in our state and on what real solutions Congress can take to help those in need.

Saturday marks Korean American Day, which honors the arrival of the first Korean migrants to the United States on January 13, 1903, and celebrates the contributions of our Korean American community.

I’m proud to help introduce a bipartisan resolution to recognize Korean American Day and honor the 2 million Korean Americans in the U.S. today who share my story and are making a difference across communities. 

Taiwan is among the U.S.'s top 10 trading partners & has the 5th largest cash reserves of any foreign country. It deserves a seat at the International Monetary Fund.

Today the House passed my bipartisan Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act to ensure we stand with Taiwan in the IMF.

Humbled to preside over the House floor this morning. 
  
I am so grateful to be an American and serve my community in Congress. I believe in the American dream because I lived it and won't stop fighting to keep that dream alive for future generations.

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