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.

Xi Jinping has made clear his goal to become the world's top economic, military, and technological superpower.

I'm excited to be appointed by Speaker Johnson to serve on House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and will continue working to counter the CCP’s growing aggression and protect the American Dream for future generations.

In 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department found 2.06 million pills laced with fentanyl – this is a 204 percent increase from 2023. 

This week, the House passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to give our law enforcement the tools to crack down on drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations funneling fentanyl into our streets and our schools.  

I’m proud to have secured vital resources for Yorba Linda Water District for the construction of future water infrastructure projects within the service area.

Delivering for our community is my top priority as your representative.

The California Fraternal Order of Police (CAFOP) has approximately 22,000 members throughout California.

Thank you for sharing your priorities with me this week and for working tirelessly to keep Californians safe! I’ll always Back the Blue.

The U.S. has 13,000 fewer banks today than in the 1980s.

Fewer banks mean less access to capital for small businesses and less competition.

I’m fighting on House Committee on Financial Services to ensure banking services are available to all communities.The U.S. has 13,000 fewer banks today than in the 1980s.

Who runs the world? GIRLS!

On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we recognized the amazing women and girls paving the way in sports, leading across communities, and making a difference.

In Congress, I’ll always be a loud voice for opportunities for girls to succeed.

Team Young was honored to join the Aliso Viejo Chamber Installation and Gala! Congratulations to the new directors and to the amazing winners:

Large Business of the Year- Wedgewood Weddings Aliso Viejo Center
Small Business of the Year- Lupe's Mexican Eatery
Member of the Year- Heather Stanek, General Manager Renaissance Club Sport
Ambassador of the Year- Donna Garcia
Ambassador of the Year- Mark McCready

I also want to make a special shout out to the Chamber’s Founder and 1st President Julie Wright, who recently stepped down. Great work, Julie!

As the 21st largest economy in the world and 10th largest goods trading partner of the United States, Taiwan deserves a seat at the IMF.

I’m proud to lead a bipartisan bill to allow Taiwan’s perspective to be heard in international financial decisions.

NeaumixFit in Orange offers a variety of class options to help people achieve their fitness goals. Team Young was glad to help welcome them to our community.

Center Stage Dance and Performing Arts in RSM celebrated its 20th anniversary! Team Young helped thank the dance studio for enriching our community and helping students develop life skills and love for the arts.

48 Uyghurs are facing imminent deportation from Thailand back to China. If returned, they face persecution, torture, and potentially death by the Chinese Communist Party.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans Chair Congressman Brian Mast and I are urging the Thai government to reconsider its course of action.

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we honor the many African Americans who overcame hurdles to achieve the American dream, celebrate those making a difference in our communities each day, & commit to doing our part to protect the promise of America for future generations.

As the new year begins, I humbly ask you take 30 seconds to share your priorities with me, so I can better serve you in Congress. I'm laser-focused on delivering results for you.

My team is committed to providing accessible, responsive, and effective service. 
 
We have district offices in Anaheim Hills and Mission Viejo, and we will hold mobile office hours in Chino Hills, Laguna Woods, and El Modena. 
 
Please reach out with any casework questions. 

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. 

Are you traveling planning travel for this year? Stop what you’re doing and check your passport!  

Processing times are now 4-6 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