Greetings!
We hope you had a great month! As April comes to a close, we are also finishing Month of the Military Child. Congressman Kim is dedicated to recognizing the families, loved ones, and specifically the children of our servicemembers and veterans. Each has made tremendous sacrifices for our country and we are grateful for their service. All year round, we are focused on looking after their needs.
As Passover comes to a close today, we also want to say Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrated.
As always, we hope you find the following updates and resources helpful!
Congressman Kim Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Military Health Benefits
This month, Congressman Kim and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans introduced the bipartisan Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act of 2024 which allows members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who are employed by the federal government to choose between military and civilian healthcare plans.
Our National Guard and Reserve members bravely volunteer to wear our country’s uniform and deserve straightforward and comprehensive access to military benefits. This legislation would help reduce out-of-pocket costs for Reserve and National Guard servicemembers, look out for military families’ healthcare needs, and increase military retention and readiness.
Congressman Kim Introduces the Expanding Child Care Access Act
Congressman Kim helped introduce the Expanding Child Care Access Act this month to address the childcare shortage nationwide, which notably impacts servicemembers and their families. Too many are being burdened by a major shortage of high quality, affordable childcare options. Across the country, childcare centers are either closing or overcrowded, and we need to fix this very real problem.
This legislation would take some of the burden off of these centers, allowing them to reimburse expenses for necessities like cribs, training, and supplies. With more centers able to keep their doors open, families can have the flexibility and more affordable choices they need to find and secure childcare that’s right for them.
Congressman Kim Votes to Pass Funding to Support America’s Allies Through Security Funding Package
This month, Congressman Kim voted to pass a package of bills to provide assistance to American allies around the world.
Congressman Kim’s statement on the legislation:
“These are difficult and chaotic times, but I still believe American leadership has an important role to play to protect freedom and democracy around the world. Some of my colleagues espouse a belief that our support to allies and partners hurts us at home. I disagree strongly. Security abroad helps deliver stability at home, helps us keep our own families safe and our economy growing. With so much uncertainty, we need to guard ourselves from the push to have America withdraw from the world and instead help shape stability in this volatile global era. My votes today were not without struggle and reservation as I didn’t agree with every single provision, but using democratic leverage to get $9.2B in humanitarian assistance into the final package when the Republican majority fought hard to try and remove it was critical and was an effort I supported.”
Celebrating Purple Up Day during Month of the Military Child
April 15th was Purple Up Day, which is another important opportunity during the Month of the Military Child to highlight military children's bravery and resilience.
We hope that kids and military families across the country felt the appreciation of a grateful nation on this day as we work to ensure their service never goes overlooked. Last year, Congressman Kim and a bipartisan group introduced a resolution designating April as “Month of the Military Child” to honor the sacrifices that military children make in support of their families and country. Congressman Kim will continue his work in Congress to provide servicemembers and their families with the benefits that they deserve.
Celebrating Service to our Servicemembers and Military Families
For this month’s Service Spotlight and during Month of the Military Child, we are proud to honor Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s School Liaisons for all they do on behalf of our military children and families. Nikalea and Angelia go above and beyond, working with local schools and the Base, to understand and meet families’ unique needs. From creative programs that build a bridge between our community and the Base, to everyday support that smooths military children’s transition from school to school, it is a privilege to showcase their work this month!
Read their full story and consider nominating our next Service Spotlight!
