Dear Friend, 

As we head into Veterans Day weekend, I want to recognize America’s veterans, service members, and their families who represent the best of our nation. For our veterans, the fight often does not end after they return home. As the wife and sister of U.S. Army veterans, supporting our veterans is personal to me.

In Congress, I’ll keep fighting to ensure we keep our promises to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s military. My team and I are working to ensure our military veterans across California's 40th District receive the care and resources they have rightfully earned.  

If you need assistance with casework or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out my office at (714) 984-2440. I also encourage you to receive real-time updates on my work for you in Congress by signing up for my e-newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram at @RepYoungKim. My team is here to serve you always!

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay updated on events near you!

My team is always ready to serve you. We can provide assistance with the VA and other federal agencies, connect you to local resources, provide Congressional recognition, and advocate on your behalf at the federal level.
 

As you may know, many of our veterans are suffering due to exposure to burn pits and other deadly toxins as a result of their service. 

• Expands health care eligibility for veterans exposed to toxic substances based on participation in toxic exposure risk activity; 
• Improves training options for VA claims processors and health care personnel; 
• Directs the VA to make public health resources available for veterans exposed to toxic substances; and, 
• Creates an interagency working group on toxic exposure research that includes the VA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services. 

The PACT Act also allowed veterans who served in combat zones directly enroll in VA health care during a special enrollment period earlier this year. Visit the VA website to learn more HERE.

I've also voted for bills to increase the rates of compensation for veterans and their families with service-connected disabilities, to increase the automatic maximum coverage under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program and to establish the Office of Food Security at the VA to ensure no veteran goes hungry. I will always vote with the best interests of our veterans and their families in mind. 

I appreciate all the veterans and families who joined our CA-40 Veterans Resource Fair, Pinning Ceremony for Vietnam Era veterans and spouses, and student veteran recognition in August! I'm grateful for the Tierney Center and all the amazing organizations who shared resources. Photos courtesy of the Veterans Legal Institute.

If you are or know of a Vietnam Era veteran or spouse in California’s 40th District who would like to receive recognition, please let my team know here.

Veterans filing military sexual trauma claims shouldn’t face more pain in the examination process.

That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act. This bill aims to provide much-needed updates to training for contracted disability compensation examiners (CDCEs) and certainty for veterans filing MST claims, so they receive the care they deserve. I will always have the backs of our veterans who had ours against global threats.

Our service members should not have to worry whether they and their families can receive VA health care benefits as they transition to civilian life.

I'm leading the bipartisan Combat Veterans and Family Information Act to address any lapse in care and give armed forces certainty they deserve.

I have cosponsored more than 60 bills supporting veterans, and I am honored to help lead and support veterans through actions such as:

• Introducing the bipartisan Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act to provide much-needed updates to training for CDCEs and certainty for veterans filing MST claims that they are valued and will receive the care they deserve;
• Leading the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act, a bipartisan bill to allow service members to pre-enroll in Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) patient enrollment; 
• Introducing the Veterans and Family Information Act, a bipartisan bill that became law to ensure that veterans and their caretakers are aware of and can access the benefits they have earned; 
• Supporting the Honoring our PACT Act to provide care to 3.5 million U.S. veterans who were exposed to toxins during their time of service. This bill became law last year;
• Hosting a veterans roundtable with local veteran leaders, gold star parents, and the now Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss expanding access to health care for veterans and other issues;
• Leading the charge to rename two Orange County post offices in Yorba Linda and Placentia after fallen service members;
• Working with state and local officials, and Orange County veterans to support an Orange County Veterans Cemetery;
• Supporting the Recover Pride in Service Act to help veterans who were dishonorably discharged under the repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy; 
• Leading a bipartisan bill to rename a Mission Viejo post office after fallen hero U.S. Marine Major Megan McClung, the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq war and first woman graduate of the Naval Academy to be killed in the line of duty;
• Helping introduce the SERVICE Act, which creates a pilot program through the US Department of Justice that would provide grants to law enforcement agencies to create local veterans’ response teams made up of military veteran law enforcement officers that respond to other veterans in crisis;
• Helping lead the Post 9/11 Veteran Business Acceleration Act, which establishes a joint pilot program between the VA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to allow eligible individuals to receive financial assistance for business operations instead of educational aid; and,
• Joining a bipartisan resolution recognizing Gold Star Families Remembrance Week to remember and rally with the loved ones of our servicemembers.

USMC Major Megan McClung was a Mission Viejo High School graduate who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms, becoming the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq War and the first woman graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to be killed in the line of duty.

In June, the House passed my bill to name a Mission Viejo post office in her honor.  I’ll work to get this across the finish line so we can remember her legacy and preserve her story in our community for future generations.

Orange County's population is larger than 19 states, but it does not have its own veteran’s cemetery.

That’s why I urged for federal support in a bipartisan letter for the Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim Hills. This is an issue near and dear to my heart, and I'll keep fighting to get this done.

In October, I held a roundtable to hear from veterans and community leaders. Thank you to all who voiced their concerns and provided updates on the ground to me and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs staff. I will keep working to ensure our veterans get the care and support they deserve.

Our Gold Star Families show resilience and strength through unimaginable loss. In October, I backed a bipartisan resolution recognizing Gold Star Families Remembrance Week. I will always rally with the loved ones of our service members.

I'm so grateful to represent many U.S. veterans across California’s 40th District. Rest assured that I will keep working hard to stand up and support our veterans and their families. 

As always, my office is here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance. 
  
I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

Sincerely,

Young Kim