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 always so impressed by the talented young artists from CA-40 who enter our Congressional Art Competition. Thank you to the 52 students for submitting this year, and congratulations to Orange Lutheran High School junior Mary Jane Pfaff from Tustin for winning this year’s competition. I can’t wait to see your artwork in the U.S. Capitol!

This week, the House Financial Services Committee passed two of my bills to support American consumers and cut federal red tape, the Reviewing the Expansion of Government (REG) Act, and the Small Dollar Loan Certainty Act.

While I’ll never waver from my principles, I believe finding common ground is important to move our country forward.

I'm proud to be ranked one of the most bipartisan members of Congress by the Lugar Center and will keep breaking through the gridlock to deliver results.

One’s zip code should not determine one’s access to health care. Unfortunately, many women in rural areas are unable to receive maternal health care.

I'm proud to help lead the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act to bridge this gap and meet patients' needs.

As a Korean American with relatives who defected North Korea, holding authoritarian regimes accountable and uplifting freedom-loving people are top priorities of mine on House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans.

My bipartisan North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act that passed out of this week's House Foreign Affairs mark up is vital to this work.

Amazing to meet Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) members and discuss their work to improve transit and expand affordable housing in our area this year.

Thank you for coming by!

More than 20 maternal health organizations came to the Capitol this week to share their work to support moms and moms-to-be. As co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus, I will continue to be a loud voice for women.

Appreciate Orange County Sheriff deputies for coming by my office before their tour of the U.S. Capitol during National Police Week. Thank you for all that you do to protect our communities!

Thank you to the Orange County Drowning Prevention Coalition for hosting the fifth annual Water Safety Challenge at Blue Buoy Family Swim School in Tustin! As drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 5, water safety is so important for our kids.

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I met with members of our AAPI community to discuss issues facing our Asian American community and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Thank you for your leadership and contributions to CA-40!

This week, I joined House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee to demand answers from State Department's Assistant Secretary Molly Phee and USAID Assistant Administrator to Africa, Monde Muyangwa on countering the Chinese Communist Party's influence in Africa.

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