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'm so grateful for the first responders who worked day and night to help mitigate the Airport Fire, which is now fully contained. As we recover, I'm fighting on the federal level to ensure our firefighters, law enforcement, and local leaders have the necessary resources.

I had so much fun with the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce at Bristol Farms catching up with entrepreneurs, law enforcement, and leaders and receiving the the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Advocate for American Business Award.

Our small business owners keep our communities running, and I will always fight for them in Congress.

Building a veteran cemetery in Orange County is long overdue and has been a project near and dear to my heart since my time in the State Assembly. I’m thrilled we are one step closer to making this a reality for those who have served and their loved ones.

One year after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, I'm working to bring Americans held hostage back home and to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable. I helped lead a bipartisan resolution to condemn Hamas’s October 7 attack and urge for the release of those still held hostage by Hamas. I also joined Full Measure to reflect one year later.

I will always stand with our freedom-loving allies and against terrorism – wherever it rears its ugly head.

I had a great time catching up with our Rancho Santa Margarita community, thanking our first responders, and meeting local small business owners at another amazing Rancho Family Fest!

I look forward to working together to ensure Rancho Santa Margarita remains prosperous, safe, and resilient.

This week, I wished our Taiwanese American community and friends in Taiwan a Happy 113th Taiwan National Day!

Taiwan is a steadfast friend in freedom. I joined the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles to celebrate and will keep working as Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman to strengthen our partnership. 

As we recover from the Airport Fire and see other natural disasters impacting communities across the nation, I joined the Julie Mason Show on Sirius XM to talk about my bipartisan letter to House leadership urging for full funding to address backlogged disaster relief costs.

I visited the Hurtt Family Health Clinic in Tustin to learn more about their facilities and work to provide care to homeless and underserved families. I'm proud to have supported their application for Health Resources and Services Administration grant funding to expand behavioral health services.

Team Young welcomed Dr. Lakani Dental Care to Lake Forest and Nosta Sauna Lounge to Mission Viejo. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to the health and wellness of our communities. I will always stand with our small businesses and ensure they have access to capital to keep their doors open.

Team Young congratulated Orange County Water District and East Orange County Water District for their new PFAS treatment plant, which will ensure safe and reliable water for our Orange and Villa Park communities.

Calling all CA-40 Middle and High Schoolers! The Congressional App Challenge is back! Create an app using coding concepts for a chance to have your work displayed in the US Capitol Building. Submissions are due by October 24. Learn more HERE or below.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is hiring thousands of new air traffic controllers, and we are encouraging those interested in being an air traffic controller to get ready to apply. The FAA’s Hiring of Air Traffic Controllers Fall 2024 application window will open on October 11, 2024, and will close on November 4, 2024.

To view the Notice of FAA Hiring Air Traffic Controllers, and to read more about this opportunity, open HERE.

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