Greetings,
We hope you’ve had a great week! A lot was packed into the three days Congressman Kim was in Washington this week. With his first bill introduction of the 118th Congress, committee hearings, and votes, the Congressman enjoyed meeting with many local New Jersey stakeholders like the New Jersey American Legion and the Council of NJ Grantmakers!
At the start of March, we wish you all a Happy Women’s History Month! This month, we celebrate trailblazing women and the impact they had on generations.
As always, we hope you find these updates and resources helpful, more next week!
Congressman Kim Introduces Legislation to Expand Servicemembers’ Access to Affordable Childcare
This week, Congressman Kim introduced his first bill of the 118th Congress, the Military Child Care Transparency and Expansion Act to deliver greater transparency and access to childcare for servicemembers and their families. At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and around the country, we hear that finding and affording childcare is routinely servicemembers’ and their family’s top concern.
Congressman Kim’s bill would build on the success of the Child Care in Your Home in-home fee assistance pilot program and help more servicemembers and their families by offsetting the cost of in-home childcare, reducing everyday expenses especially for military families in areas with high childcare demand and low availability.
Read more about the legislation here.
Congressman Kim Introduces Legislation to Honor Buffalo Soldiers with Congressional Gold Medal
To close out Black History Month, Congressman Kim and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland introduced the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023, to honor their contributions to our country.
The Buffalo Soldier Congressional Gold Medal Act would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the six Buffalo Soldier regiments in recognition of their vital service to the United States.
Congressman Kim on the Importance of Recognizing the Buffalo Soldiers’ Service
“The Buffalo Soldiers represent the best of America, working tirelessly and selflessly to break down barriers for future generations simply by serving. Their example is a beacon of inspiration and their bravery deserves recognition with the highest honor Congress has to offer. I am proud to represent a lot of Buffalo Soldier veterans that live in my district and distinctly remember the first time I met with many of them and heard their personal experiences and their stories. Everyone in America should learn about the Buffalo Soldiers. Their decades of service through numerous conflicts began during a time when racism and segregation were barriers and a constant threat. I hope this recognition can show our country’s gratitude for their service, and I urge members on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.”
Congressman Kim’s First Military Personnel Hearing as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee
This week, Congressman Kim participated in the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing. As Ranking Member, Congressman Kim is focused on issues we hear about directly from servicemembers and their families. From mental health services to combating childcare shortages, he wants to find common ground and combat these challenges.
Watch his opening remarks at the committee hearing here.
First Committee Hearing of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and China
In primetime Tuesday night, Congressman Kim participated in the first hearing of the House Select Committee on China. You can watch the full committee hearing here.
Congressman Kim spoke with CNN’s Kate Bolduan the following day about his hopes for the Select Committee moving forward and on NPR’s Here and Now about how we can invest in our nation and combat xenophobia as we tackle our country’s biggest challenges.
During Committee Hearing, Congressman Kim Emphasizes the Importance of Global Coalitions in Tackling Global Challenges
At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing this week, Congressman Kim focused on how we can tackle global challenges through global coalitions and strengthening the United State’s role as a responsible actor on the global stage.
Congressman Kim spoke about growing global partnerships based on honesty and democracy can encourage partnerships that advance our shared interests. You can watch his questions on this subject during the hearing here.
Congratulations Julie Su, Nominee for U.S. Labor Secretary
Congressman Kim congratulated Julie Su on her nomination to be the next U.S. Labor Secretary and the first AAP Cabinet Secretary in the Biden Administration. She is an extremely well-qualified and impressive nominee.
Congressman Kim’s Statement on Julie Su’s Nomination
“When I was growing up, I didn’t see many American political leaders that looked like me. Today there is more diversity in our leadership and I’m so glad to see Julie Su nominated to serve as Labor Secretary. I believe that to inspire young people to get involved in service, they need to see people that look like them in these kinds of positions to inspire them and to show them that no matter what they look like, in America there is no barrier to achieving their dreams. I want to Congratulate Julie on her nomination and for being potentially the first AAPI in President Biden’s Cabinet at the Secretary level. I look forward to her swift confirmation.”
Federal Funding with Huge Local Impact
At the beginning of the week, Congressman Kim celebrated two exciting federal funding announcements that will support our local communities!
Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law that Congressman Kim helped pass, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will receive over $2.4 billion with over $94,815,000 going to New Jersey. These funds are going toward key challenges like water contamination and climate change while also providing resources to underserved communities and creating good-paying jobs in a greener economy. We are excited for all the opportunities this funding unlocks to meet our local water infrastructure needs.
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills will receive $1M in federal funding to support the affordable and quality care they provide our local community, including to servicemembers and their families at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The funding will go a long way to expand quality and affordable healthcare access in our local New Jersey communities.
February Casework Success!
Last month, our casework team was proud to return $467,160 and close 361 cases for our neighbors across Burlington, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties. As always, if you’re in need of assistance with a federal agency, reach out to our office at kim.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency.
.png "Rep. Andy Kim newsletter banner image")
