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

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 was honored to have OC Fire Division Chief Scott Wiedensohler join me for the State of the Union. He is a hero whose leadership is evident across CA-40, from his work on the front lines keeping us safe from wildfires to coordinating the initial response to the Tustin Hangar Fire. 

Happy International Women's Day! Today we remember women who broke barriers before us, uplift women in our communities, and inspire young girls to reach for the stars.

I came to the U.S. legally and am so proud to be an American. Under the Biden administration, people are coming into our country unvetted and cutting in front of those going through the legal process to achieve the American dream. 

Let’s be clear: President Biden had no problem rescinding border security policies that worked. The border crisis is on his hands, and he has the tools at his disposal to start addressing it.

Great to meet with local realtors from CA-40 and across the state in town with the California Realtor's Association about making homes more affordable for new homebuyers.

President Biden’s speech this week was more of the same, partisan rhetoric we’ve seen from this administration over the past three years. Americans aren’t buying what the Biden administration is selling. They’re feeling the pain of persistent inflation, rising crime, and the border crisis. 

I am always willing to find common ground to deliver results for our communities. We need to come together – and that is what I’m focused on.

Honored to receive the Humane Society Fund's Legislative Leader Award. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to protect animals, end animal cruelty and testing, and hold violators accountable.

I enjoyed catching up with families at Cal Optima’s Health Fair in Orange about casework services my office provides.

In Congress, I’m committed to ensuring access to affordable, high-quality health care.

At this week’s Financial Services Committee hearing, I asked about how recent federal regulations will help small businesses, families, and individuals access capital and credit. I’ll keep conducting oversight on this administration and ensure policies make life easier for Americans, not harder.

California is home to 270 credit unions helping people access capital and take control of their finances. I enjoyed speaking with credit unions from here in California and across the nation this week. I’m fighting on the House Financial Services Committee to reduce regulatory costs and expand opportunities for Americans to achieve their dream.

Team Young welcomed the Stand to Chino Hills and Makkan Designs to Yorba Linda this week! In Congress, I’m proud to be a voice for our small businesses and am fighting to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs to create jobs, support our local economy, and make their American dream a reality.

Thank you to California Fraternal Order of Police for stopping by my DC office. I’m grateful for your dedication to fighting organized retail crime, hurting small businesses in CA-40 and across California, and keeping communities safe.

The Annex at Tustin Legacy is back open!

Team Young joined the City of Tustin for the grand re-opening to welcome back this Tustin City Park and Recreation Department community hub that offers activities, programs, and rental spaces for residents of all walks of life to enjoy.

I met with CA-40 constituents in town for Brain Injury Awareness Day to discuss what Congress can do to support those suffering from traumatic brain injuries. 
 
I’ll never forget when my daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor and appreciate hearing these personal stories. 

Inviting all CA-40 young artists! The 2024 Congressional Art Competition is now open through Monday, April 22, 2024.  
 

My office is seeing an increase in casework requests related to cybercrimes. As we see hackers use sophisticated tactics to take your personal information, please remain vigilant and be careful of suspicious links, calls, and messages. If something seems suspect, trust your instinct and do not click. 

My team and I are here to serve you.

In addition to our offices in Anaheim Hills and Mission Viejo, please don’t hesitate to stop by our mobile office hours: 

• Chino Hills Mobile Office Hours every Wednesday from 9AM-1PM at the City Clerk's Office- 14000 City Center Drive, 2nd floor, Chino Hills
• Laguna Woods Mobile Office Hours the third Thursday of each month from 9AM-1PM at Laguna Woods City Hall- 24264 El Toro Road Laguna Woods, CA
• El Modena Mobile Office Hours first the Thursday of each month from 10AM-2PM at El Modena Branch Library-380 S Hewes Street Orange, CA.

To receive in-person assistance from my team on any casework you need help on. As always, you can call my office at (714) 984-2440 or (949) 268-6706 or visit my website at youngkim.house.gov.

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