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.

️Join Team Young for a Veteran Resource Fair, Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremony, and Student Veteran Recognition on Saturday, August 24 at the Tierney Center Powered by Goodwill in Tustin at 10am. RSVP HERE or click the button below.

This week, I supported the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, which ensures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prioritizes projects important to public safety across our communities.

I also voted in favor of the bipartisan Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025, to support the important work of Orange County Water District and Santa Margarita Water District to provide high-quality water for our area.

I met the amazing Women's USC Beach Volleyball, UCLA Men's Volleyball, and UCLA Women's Water Polo teams, who all clinched NCAA titles this year. Although I’ll always "Fight on!," I’m glad we could show some USC-UCLA SoCal bipartisanship at the U.S. Capitol.

Congratulations!

At this week’s Foreign Affairs Committee roundtable, we met and heard the heartbreaking stories of families of individuals held hostage by Hamas. I also attended the joint meeting of Congress to hear Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks as our ally defends itself against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups funded by the Iranian regime. I appreciate the hostages’ families taking the time to speak with us, and I join in praying for their loved ones’ safe return home.

The maternal mortality crisis in our nation is staggering and requires bipartisan action.

On Wednesday, we celebrated Bump Day to raise awareness of the need to end preventable maternal deaths and uplift women, moms-to-be, babies, and families across communities.

I met with Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Scott Wiedensohler and Anaheim Fire and Rescue Acting Deputy Fire Chief Nick Colonelli in my Anaheim Hills office to discuss ways we can keep CA-40 safe from wildfires. 
  
I'll always fight to ensure our brave firefighters have the tools they need.

I enjoyed seeing Rancho Santiago Community College District Chancellor Marvin Martinez and Vice Chancellor Enrique Perez in town from CA-40 to hear more about their work to promote STEM. I’m proud to represent Santiago Canyon College in Orange and will always support quality educational opportunities for students. Go Hawks!

Team Young had an amazing time showing the Olsen Family from Santa Ana my DC office. Ric Olsen is the Chaplin at the Orange City Fire Department.

Does your family want to visit the U.S. Capitol? If so, please let me my team know here.

Protecting public safety is a top priority of mine in Congress.  
 
Thank you to local law enforcement for joining me to discuss their work on the ground. I’ll always work to ensure our men and women in blue have the resources they need to keep us safe.

“Our nation honors her sons and daughters who defend a country they never knew, and a people they never met.” -Korean War Veterans Memorial  
 
Tomorrow on National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we honor the Americans and Koreans who fought for freedom. I'm here today because of them. 

Team Young celebrated the grand opening of the Orange County Acting Academy in Mission Viejo and Pedego Electric Bikes in Yorba Linda. Congratulations!

I spoke at this week's House Financial Services hearing titled, "AI Innovation Explored: Insights into AI Applications in Financial Services and Housing," to urge support for AI innovation to detect fraud and criminal activity.

I will continue to work on the House Financial Services Committee and the bipartisan AI Working Group to promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure U.S. values lead the way.

I'm humbled to be named a Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation. As a small business owner, I will always support commonsense policies that help entrepreneurs cut through red tape, create jobs, and make their American dream a reality.

This week, I delivered opening remarks at the joint Indo-Pacific Subcommittee and Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for South and Central Asian Affairs.

South Asia is critical to our economic and national security interests, and U.S. engagement is crucial to counter CCP coercion threatening our allies in the region.

I had fun meeting the Challengers, the North Korean defector first youth baseball team! After escaping North Korea, the players use baseball as a tool to build friendships and integrate into their new environment.

Great to hear from local veterans and veteran service organizations in my Anaheim Hills office. As a wife and sister to veterans, supporting those who served in our nation’s uniform and their families is personal to me.

I'm so grateful for the leadership of our CA-40 veterans.

More children than ever before are turning five years old, which is a testament to the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance in partnership with NGOs. I’ll do my part to ensure the United States leads on the world stage in preventing malnutrition around the world.

Enjoyed welcoming the Orange Chamber of Commerce's new board members and catching up with Orange entrepreneurs at their Gala last week. Thank you for having me!

Excited to cheer on Kathryn Plummer from Aliso Viejo and all of our Southern California athletes during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Go Team USA!

The Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business Workshop on new California regulation requirements from 11:30 am to 1pm at the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club Fiesta Room. RSVP here.

Do you know any students looking for an internship opportunity? We're looking for Fall Interns in our DC, Anaheim Hills and Mission Viejo offices. Please reach out to my office with any questions or learn more below.

Delivering for CA-40 is my top priority.

In Congress, I secured resources through the FY24 appropriations packages for vital projects in CA-40 that protect public health, support law enforcement, and keep our communities safe.

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.

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