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.

The SR-91 corridor is one of the busiest in the country and is critical for families to reach work and school, businesses to thrive, goods to be traded, and communities to stay connected.
I'm proud to have secured resources for OCTA to improve the SR-91 for years to come.

This week I voted to keep our government open. This clean, commonsense bill avoids a shutdown and protects our commitments to seniors, veterans, and hardworking Americans without spending more taxpayer dollars.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak at the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Women in Leadership Luncheon, especially as we celebrate Women’s History Month! We thank all of these local women leaders for their invaluable contributions, enriching our community and inspiring the next generation.

At this week’s East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee hearing, we discussed the reauthorization of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which is a vital tool in our economic and foreign policy by promoting soft power through private capital.

Our subcommittee has the unique opportunity to shape and reauthorize the DFC with much-needed reforms to ensure it remains agile, effective, and aligned with America’s national security priorities.

Wednesday marked 113 years since the founding of Girl Scouts of USA. As a former Girl Scout and troop leader for my daughters, I’ve seen how Girl Scouts empowers girls to dream big and achieve their goals through supportive and uplifting networks. I’m proud to honor Girl Scouts Day and will be a voice for women and girls.

The recent hate crime at BAPS Chino Hills is absolutely horrific. Hate has no place in our society, and Americans should always feel safe in their place of worship. I stand with our friends in Chino Hills and the greater BAPS community.

I appreciate Brea’s City Council for stopping by my DC office this week to discuss their priorities this year. I look forward to continuing to work together to keep our Brea community prosperous and safe.

Digital assets and cryptocurrencies are another option to help Americans unleash wealth creation. I asked in in this week's Financial Services Committee hearing how we can provide clarity and promote innovation without leaving traditional dollar transactions behind.

Great meeting with League of CA Cities Fire Chiefs’ President and La Verne Fire Chief Chris Nigg to ensure city fire departments have the resources needed to serve our communities. I’m grateful for his leadership and commitment to protecting Californians.

The U.S. Army K9 Corps was established on March 13, 1942.  I am grateful for our four-legged friends who work alongside our men and women in uniform over the last 83 years to protect our nation’s freedoms.

At this week’s Europe Subcommittee hearing, I expressed my concerns about the Chinese Communist Party’s accelorated nuclear weapons programs and asked how the United States can work to have tangible results in reducing nuclear risk.

The Saddleback College Veterans Education and Transition Services stopped by to share their stories and discuss my work in Congress to uplift our veterans, including my Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act that allows veterans to pre-enroll in VA care. We are grateful for all that you do!

Innovation is key for America to unlock economic growth and lead on the world stage.
I'm honored to receive Punchbowl News inaugural Innovators Award for my work to modernize health care, fintech, and small business.

Productive meeting with Chino Valley Fire District Chief Dave Williams on strengthening wildfire prevention, emergency response, and public safety. I appreciate our first responders’ work to serve and protect our community!

Productive meeting with Singapore’s Ambassador to the U.S., Lui Tuck Yew, discussing our nation’s shared priorities. A strong U.S.-Singapore partnership is important for the stability and security of the entire EAP region.

Great discussion with California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Lindsey Sin and Undersecretary Keith Boylan on the Orange County Veterans Cemetery. I’ll keep fighting to make this important project a reality.

I greatly appreciate all of the constituents who visit the nation's capitol. Our doors are always open to you!

I met with California Credit Union League members to discuss our work in House Committee on Financial Services to roll back the Biden administration CFPB’s misguided overdraft rule that harms Americans relying on these services, limits free banking service and leads to costly fees down the road. I’ll keep fighting to protect consumers.

I appreciate Chapman University Student Veterans Association leaders stopping by to discuss how we can support student veterans as they transition from service to education and my bipartisan bill to allow veterans to pre-enroll in VA healthcare benefits.

This week, I was honored to meet Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert, former Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the first woman foreign minister from Asia, to discuss the Philippines’ chairing of ASEAN 2026 and ways to advance shared priorities.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the amazing women making a difference in our communities and commit to uplift the next generation of women and girls around the world.
The success of women and girls is the world's gain.

Great meeting with local realtors in town from CA-40 to discuss housing affordability, homeownership opportunities, and the future of real estate in our communities. Looking forward to working together on solutions!

Ryu Hyun-woo, former acting Ambassador of the DPRK to Kuwait who defected in 2019, has helped shed light on North Korea’s diplomatic system, internal structure, policies, and human rights abuses. I look forward to more conversations on how we can counter Kim Jong Un's aggression and human rights abuses.

Wishing a happy Holi and bright celebration of Spring to all who are celebrating! May this festival of colors remind us that good triumphs evil, love surpasses hate, and light overshadows darkness always.

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.

I am thrilled that Team Young has helped return over $26 million back to taxpayers from federal agencies.

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