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.

I led the California Republican delegation in a resolution that recognizes the right to peacefully protest, condemns the violent riots, thanks our brave law enforcement, and calls on federal, state, and local leaders to come together to restore peace.

Peaceful protests are welcome, but violence and vandalism are not.

Bipartisanship isn’t a bad word. In fact, it’s more important than ever to find common ground to improve the lives of the American people and move this country forward. That’s why I’m proud of my record and to be ranked the most effective federal lawmaker from the state of California.

I hope the BUDS Act can encourage more collaboration in Congress that will advance more impactful policy solutions.

Always makes my day to see CA-40 constituents in town when I'm in DC for Congress. If you're coming to our nation's capital, please let my team know. We'd love to show you around.

More than 8 million Californians own digital assets. Our policies need to keep up with the 21st century, which is why the House Financial Services Committee passed the CLARITY Act to deliver a clear roadmap to bring blockchain companies back to America, promote innovation, and protect consumers.

Last year, more than one in every three California community college applications was fake, leading to financial aid fraud stealing $10 million in federal taxpayer dollars and $3 million from our state. This is not only a flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars but also deprives real students in need of receiving student aid they need to receive an education.

I appreciate the Department of Education hearing our call for answers and transparency on behalf of the American people.

Team Young helped celebrate the construction of the new City of Hope cancer specialty hospital, which will open later this year. As we mark National Cancer Survivors Month, this event also honored the resilience of cancer survivors across the region.

I enjoyed meeting our CA-40 Congressional Gold Medalists in my DC office this week. I know this is just the beginning of what these young leaders will achieve. Great work!

I joined the Julie Mason Show on SiriusXM Radio this week to talk about my resolution to condemn violent LA protests and my bipartisan bill to cut childbirth costs. 

I held a House Foreign Affairs East Asia & Pacific Subcommittee hearing on strengthening U.S.-ASEAN relations and helped introduce the bipartisan PARTNER with ASEAN Act. 

When the United States shows up as the partner of choice for our Indo-Pacific allies and partners, we win. ASEAN plays a central role in building strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific.

Congratulations to Ed Reynolds and Tammis Berkheimer for being named Tustin's man and woman of the year for their excellence in volunteerism and leadership. Grateful for all that you do for our Tustin community!

Honored to celebrate the swearing-in of the National APA Museum commission today.

Asian Pacific Americans are not a monolith. Our stories are unique, and deserve to be told in our nation's capital. I'll continue to advocate in Congress for this important project.

Team Young joined the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District's Festival to catch up with community members and see all the great ways the water district supports our area. 

ICYMI: I joined The Guy Benson Show on FOX News Radio this week to talk about the riots and unrest in Los Angeles.

Peaceful protests are welcome, but violence, vandalism, and property damage are not. I stand with our brave law enforcement working to keep us safe.

I met with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Korea to discuss how we can support American businesses in South Korea and protect them from foreign competition. I appreciate their work to promote shared U.S.-ROK economic priorities.

I joined USGLC as they launched their "Economic Security Is National Security" report. Economic security is national security, and America’s interests must be at the forefront of our foreign policy to restore U.S. global leadership.

As the House Foreign Affairs Committee works to reauthorize the State Department, we need to ensure the Department can help American businesses access markets and stand against predatory foreign competition. I appreciate USGLC’s work and look forward to continuing our important work to advance U.S. leadership at home and abroad.

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

TSA requires REAL IDs for domestic travel starting May 7, 2025 and for entering certain federal facilities. Learn more here.

State Department processing times for passports 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