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.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that is unfortunately happening every day right here in our Southern California backyard. I’m excited to host a Human Trafficking Awareness Seminar with local law enforcement and officials on how residents can help prevent and combat this crime. Learn more and RSVP here.

Great conversation with local seniors’ organizations and community leaders on ensuring that our seniors have the stability, support, and care that they deserve. I’ll continue to fight to protect and strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs they have paid their way into.

South American Theft Groups exploit Chile's visa waiver program status for "burglary tourism" and break into my constituents' homes in Orange County. I led a bipartisan letter to urge for suspension of Chile's status so we can keep Americans safe.

Honored to meet with local veterans and veteran service organizations to discuss how we can improve care and resources for those who served. I’ll keep fighting to ensure our veterans receive the benefits and support they deserve! 

Great to start off this week on ThisDay Laguna Woods to discuss the importance of protecting access to Social Security and Medicare, as well as vital Medicaid services for seniors, disabled, and our most vulnerable. I’m proud to fight for our Laguna Woods community in Congress.

If the truth is not broadcast around the world, we are losing, and propaganda and disinformation by our adversaries fill the void. I wrote an op-ed in National Review this week on how we must restore USAGM to its intended purpose: a soft-power tool that promotes America’s national security interests.

Had a productive roundtable with leaders of Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo to discuss improving quality of care and addressing burdensome regulations to help reduce healthcare costs. I will continue to fight to protect and strengthen access to care for Californians.

I met with CA-40 small business leaders for a roundtable discussion on my work in Congress to combat organized retail crime, address the SALT cap, and reduce regulatory burdens for small businesses. Thriving businesses mean a stronger community! 

It was an honor to join our Yorba Linda community for the Annual Pat Nixon Day of Service, a beautiful ceremony on her 113th birthday to honor her enduring legacy of service and dedication to our country.

Great meeting with physician leaders and partners from the Orange County Medical Association and Inland Empire Health Plan. Thank you for all of your work to ensure that our communities receive the quality care that they deserve!

Veterans filing MST claims already face unthinkable trauma. The examination process shouldn’t cause more pain. That's why I'm proud to lead the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act so our veterans receive the care they deserve.

I volunteered at the Tustin Area Senior Center with Meals on Wheels of Orange County to serve over 80 incredible seniors, including a remarkable 105-year-old and several veterans. Grateful for Meals on Wheels' work to support our community. 

Bark Barracks is now open! The City of Tustin’s new dog park at Tustin Legacy Park is a great place for our four-legged friends to play, and it has a memorial wall where you can hang dog tags to honor your pet.

I had a public safety roundtable with Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, OCSD - Yorba Linda Police Services, OCSD - Aliso Viejo Police Services, OCSD - Mission Viejo Police Services and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department to discuss how I can help ensure they have the tools they need to stop the spread of fentanyl and combat crime from South American Theft Groups.

We hope that everyone had a great National Ag Day! California is the largest state producer and exporter of agricultural products. Grateful for our farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to feed our families and fuel our economy!

Congratulations to MINISO on the grand opening of their 300th store in the City of Tustin! Exciting to see such growth and success in our community. Wishing you continued success! 

Productive wildfire roundtable with OCFA Division 4 Chief Fetterman, CVIFD Battalion Chief Smith, and the Canyon Fire Safety Council to discuss increasing access to critical wildfire technology. The Wildfire DEMO Act that I introduced will greatly assist SoCal’s firefighters work to keep our communities safe. 

Team Young joined in a ribbon cutting celebration for Cityside Fiber in Mission Viejo! Cityside Fiber installs and provides high speed internet services using fiber optic cables.

Wishing a Nowruz Mubarak to all who are celebrating! Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is a marker of spring and renewal. I’m proud to represent a vibrant Persian American community in CA-40 and work in Congress to support the Iranian people standing up to the Ayatollah regime.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Wishing CA-40 a day filled with luck, laughter, and a bit of Irish cheer!

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