Working for New Jersey:

Capitol Coffee Day, Working to Combat Antisemitism, and Questioning DHS Sec. Noem on FEMA’s Lack of Completed Hurricane Preparedness Plan 

CAPITOL COFFEE DAY: 

COMBATTING ANTISEMITISM: 

Last week, during a Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs hearing, Senator Kim asked DHS Secretary Kristi Noem if FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program could be potentially cut by the Trump administration. Sec. Noem couldn’t give Senator Kim a clear “no.” To us, that’s unacceptable. 
 
In the Senator’s own words, “I’ll just say point blank, I think the answer should have been a clear no. And I think that there is very strong bipartisanship here in Congress, especially in the Senate, to protect the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. It’s literally the best tool that people in New Jersey are telling me is needed to combat antisemitism.” 
 
If the Trump administration wants to counter antisemitism, they shouldn’t defund our best tools to do it. You can watch the Senator’s remarks and share them here. 

ADVOCATING FOR HURRICANE PREPARDNESS PLANS: 

In the same committee hearing, Senator Kim pressed Sec. Noem on DHS’s hurricane preparedness plan. It was unfortunate to hear that Sec. Noem couldn’t tell the Senator when their plan would be done. 
 
Hurricane season won’t wait—why should the people of New Jersey have to wait for FEMA to come up with a plan that you need to stay safe? 
 
Here’s what Senator Kim had to say about this: “When it comes to FEMA, this is something I’m concerned about being from New Jersey. You know, we’ve had challenges with Superstorm Sandy and others in the past. I was alarmed when I saw some reports that the acting head Richardson said last Thursday that he’s about 80 to 85% done with the hurricane season plan given that we are just days away from hurricane season beginning.” 

Working for you at the Capitol:

Reacting to the House Republicans’ Budget Bill, Urging President Trump to Keep Troops in South Korea, Celebrating Diversity, and Staying Engaged to Create Change 

REACTING TO THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS PASSING TRUMP’S BUDGET BILL: 

Early in the morning on Thursday, May 22nd, the Republicans in the House of Representatives passed one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation in our nation’s history. Here are three things we want you to know: 

1. 14 million Americans could lose their health care. 
2. This bill contains the single largest cut to health care in our nation’s history with a $700 billion cut to Medicaid. Medicaid supports seniors, people with disabilities, and kids, not just in New Jersey but around the country.  
3. 4 million students could lose or have their Pell Grants reduced.

Why are House Republicans doing this? To give tax cuts to the billionaires and wealthiest corporations in this country. All of this is so scary and damaging.  

URGING PRESIDENT TRUMP TO NOT WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM SOUTH KOREA: 

Last week, there were reports of President Trump looking to withdraw troops from South Korea. Senator Kim released the following statement, urging the President to listen to the advice of his military leaders: 
 
“A substantial reduction of forces in South Korea would be an irresponsible move by the Trump Administration. Seoul has continued to step up and contribute more in recent years to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula, but a robust American presence continues to be essential in the face of North Korean threats and a challenging neighborhood. Trump should listen to his military leaders and not weaken support for one of our most critical allies at a critical time in the Indo-Pacific.” 

CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSITY: 

Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! This May, Senator Kim had the opportunity to participate in many events celebrating the diverse AANHPI communities that make our state and country better. Conversations like the one the Senator participated in with Sen. Tammy Duckworth at the APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit are vital. From sharing personal stories to engaging in policy discussions, Senator Kim is proud to uplift and support AANHPI communities across New Jersey. 

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month! This May, we applaud the contributions of the Jewish community to New Jersey and to the nation. Just last week, the Senator met with students from the Jewish Federation of the Greater MetroWest’s Teen Israel Leadership Council. The group had a productive and nuanced conversation, and we appreciate young leadership stepping up to share their experiences and ask thoughtful questions. Recognizing and celebrating Jewish heritage is one way we can stand together and reject antisemitism in all forms. 

STAYING ENGAGED BECAUSE YOUR VOICE MATTERS: 

Senator Kim was recently on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC talking about the importance of staying engaged. In the Senator’s segment, he talked about how he was able to take a concern he heard at a town hall in New Jersey to a congressional committee hearing, press a cabinet secretary about the issue that was raised, and see commitments to policy change take place. You can listen to the full quote here. 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you in the United States Senate. It is an honor and a responsibility we do not take lightly. We know these are difficult times, and we will continue to fight for everyone across the state of New Jersey and stand ready to serve you however we can.  
 
If you need help, please contact us at kim.senate.gov, and keep up with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and/or YouTube. 

Sincerely,

The Office of Senator Andy Kim

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