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.

Getting things done is my TOP priority as your representative. I’m thrilled that my record is the most effective of federal representatives from California and top 10 in the House of Representatives. I assure that I’m just getting started delivering results!

GOOD NEWS! My team has officially returned over $27 million back to CA-40 taxpayers. We’re here to serve you always!

Last week I went on 60 Minutes to discuss how USAGM platforms like Radio Free Asia help the United States lead in the free world and counter dictators’ disinformation. Silencing our voice plays right into Xi Jinping's hands.

I thank OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson for meeting with me to share updates on current OCTA projects and highway programs ahead of surface transportation reauthorization & how we can innovate transit policy ideas.

Stablecoins can not only help Americans grow their wealth but also promote U.S. values and leadership both here at home and around the world. I'm proud to join Representative Bryan Steil in introducing the STABLE Act to create a framework to help us promote innovation and protect consumers.

A $25,000 SALT Cap does not get close to bringing relief to families unfairly burdened by the current cap. Fellow Republican SALT Caucus Co-Chair Andrew Garbarino and I are continuing our push to cut taxes and bring relief to our constituents.

Productive meeting with the local builders in town on the impacts the recent fires had on the housing and insurance industry and how we can help build back our community stronger than ever!

Animals are God’s creatures and should be treated with care, not cruelty. Stopping harmful animal testing is a priority of mine as your representative. Honored to be named a legislative leader by the Humane Act Fund!

This week Representative Lou Correa and I wrote to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue guidance for the Santiago Creek portion of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project to support the safety of residents and protect wildlife in the area.

At this week's Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing I asked how we can ensure that we have hard hitting sanctions that last against Iran.

Great meeting with several CA-40 restaurant owners to discuss the challenges facing the restaurant industry, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and the future of the franchising business model. Excited to continue supporting policies that empower local businesses and foster growth!

Great meeting with the Western Fire Chiefs Association to discuss fire policy critical to the safety of Californians. I’m working on policies to improve resources for wildfire prevention, response, and coordination for first responders to protect our communities.

Blockchain means more transparency and less cybercrime for American consumers. Through blockchain, we can easily track and monitor bad actors like Huione Group, resulting in safer transactions than traditional forms of payment.

Had a great roundtable with U.S. robotics companies and industry leaders to explore innovation, challenges, and China’s growing influence in the robotics field. To stay competitive, America must lead the way in technological innovation.

This week I introduced the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. Beijing continues to do all it can to isolate Taiwan from the outside world and silence Taiwan’s voice on the world stage. Taiwan has a track record of success in democracy and global health security, and its perspective deserves to be heard.

Great welcoming Red Hill Lutheran Church and School students to the nation's Capitol this morning!

Honored to meet with the New Zealand Ambassador this week to discuss strengthening our bilateral relationship. As the House Foreign Affairs Committee East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman, I’m working to keep the Indo-Pacific free and open and promote shared priorities.

April is Financial Literacy Month! It’s no April Fool’s joke – Americans should learn to take charge of their financial future and avoid fraud, debt, and other financial concerns. I'm working as Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus co-chair to protect the American Dream.

I appreciate Estonian Parliament National Defense Committee Chairman Kalev Stoicescu stopping by to discuss the U.S.-Estonia alliance, Estonia’s role as a reliable NATO ally in the strategic Baltic region, and Estonia’s efforts to increase defense spending.

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 $27 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