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.

Grateful to the veterans and community leaders who voiced their concerns and provided updates on the ground to me and House Veterans Affairs Committee staff. I will keep working to ensure our veterans get the care and support they deserve.

As the Chinese Communist Party ramps up provocations in the Taiwan Strait, timely deliveries of operational equipment that the U.S. has promised to Taiwan are imperative. The Pentagon sending defective equipment to Taiwan is inexcusable. I led a letter demanding answers along with nine other colleagues. Read more from the Washington Examiner HERE or below.

Ride for Hope directly supports Crime Survivors Resource Center’s work to uplift survivors and prevent future crimes. I was honored to join and speak about the importance of keeping our communities safe. Thank you for all that you do!

I had a great time celebrating International Credit Union Day in Tustin last week with local credit union professionals and community leaders. Thank you for all that you do to support our local businesses!

Awesome to hear from veterans in Tustin and recognize veteran service organizations at the Tierney Center for Veteran Services’ job fair. Thank you for your service to our nation and your work to ensure our veterans can succeed!

Stopped by the Yonsei Alumni Association of Southern California’s health fair to learn about how they’re making health care services more accessible to the Korean American community in our area. Grateful for all that you to do keep us healthy!

I had a fun time catching up with our Taiwanese American community at the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Orange County gala. Thank you for having me!

I visited Thomas Global Systems to learn more about their advanced technologies that support U.S. defense systems. Always great to see local economic growth and innovation happening right here in Orange County!

Great touring MatterHackers, Inc. in Lake Forest and learning more about the scope of their 3D products. Thank you for making 3D printing more accessible to STEM students, educators, and engineers and giving employment opportunities to our veterans!

I caught up with local leaders, first responders, and families in Mission Viejo at the 36th Annual Walk Against Drugs. Thank you for your dedication to keeping our community prosperous and safe.

Great to see friends from the CA-40 hotel industry in Orange! I led the bipartisan No Hidden FEES Act, which passed the House to lower costs and improve transparency for consumers, and will keep working to make life affordable and protect the American dream.

Awesome to welcome Comfort Keepers to Tustin! They specialize in providing home care for seniors and adults who need assistance. Thank you for all that you do to support our seniors!

Team Young joined Fire Safety Council of the Canyons’ wildfire safety seminar to learn about recent fires and the importance of communication tools when preparing for future fires. View more tips 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 is open until 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.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and 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 the first 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