Member of Congress

Young Kim

Role
Current Representative
State
CA
Party
Republican

Speeches

HOUSING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ACT2026-02-09

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. The Housing for the 21st Century Act builds on the success of the working-class families tax cuts and deserves swift passage so we can deliver results for American families.

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support in the Housing for the 21st Century Act. After years of inaction, my home State of California has earned an F in housing affordability. Under Gavin Newsom and Sacramento leadership, hardworking families are being left in the dust. That is why I am taking action to help address this crisis for my constituents in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Earlier this Congress, I worked with President Trump to secure historic SALT relief for Californians. That relief, combined with the provisions in the Housing for the 21st Century Act, will bring the dream of homeownership closer to reality for working families in my district. For far too long, working-class Americans have been priced out of the housing market. The Housing for the 21st Century Act confronts that problem head-on by exploring where our housing system has left these families behind. For the first time since 2006, we are finally increasing the capital that financial institutions can invest in affordable housing and community development projects. There is finally the willingness to tackle this housing crisis head-on.

View in Record
DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE D.C. INCOME AND FRANCHISE TAX CONFORMITY AND REVISION TEMPORARY AMENDMENT ACT OF 20252026-02-04

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 142, disapproving of D.C.'s recent decision to decouple from key provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. This resolution ensures that D.C. residents can benefit from President Trump's historic tax cuts, just like hardworking families across the country. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for my constituents in California's 40th District. Under Governor Newsom's rule, California has repeatedly chosen to decouple from Federal tax relief, denying hardworking families and small businesses much-needed breathing room after years of Bidenflation. Californians are struggling with some of the highest taxes and cost of living in the Nation and are getting no relief from Governor Newsom and Democrats in Sacramento. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution because workers and families in D.C., California, and across the country deserve a chance to get ahead. I hope this resolution inspires California's leaders to come to their senses and allow the full relief of the important wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that provided the working families tax cuts to take effect for Californians.

View in Record
CELEBRATING MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY2026-01-22

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate 75 years of leadership and public service by the Municipal Water District of Orange County. This milestone isn't just about longevity. It is about leading through change and planning for the future. Municipal Water District of Orange County was founded on a simple, yet powerful, idea. Regional collaboration is stronger than working alone. By uniting local agencies and securing access to imported water supplies, the district has helped lay the foundation for Orange County's economic growth, public health, and quality of life. Mr. Speaker, 75 years later, Municipal Water District of Orange County remains a model of responsible governance and regional cooperation. It is well-prepared to meet the next 75 years with the same leadership and integrity that has built Orange County into what it is today. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate them on 75 years, and I thank them for serving our community.

View in Record
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVER MANDATING EFFICIENCY STANDARDS ACT2026-01-09

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act. This bill fixes a broken Federal process that has stalled sensible updates to housing standards for years. While the issue is clear in manufactured housing energy standards, the lesson applies across the housing market: Overlapping regulations increase costs without delivering better outcomes for families. As a champion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I fought to deliver real relief for hardworking families by raising the State and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 so families can keep more of what they earn and finally afford to buy a home. We must also bring the Housing for the 21st Century Act to the House floor as soon as possible to help working-class American families get ahead. The Affordable HOMES Act is a practical step forward that helps families without sacrificing safety or efficiency. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

View in Record
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE HONORABLE DOUG LaMALFA2026-01-08

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart to honor our colleague Doug LaMalfa. Doug was larger than life, but what I will remember most is how he lived big in the small moments with warmth, attention to detail, and genuine kindness. Doug was the only Member of Congress who ever called me by my Korean name, Kim Young Oak. He didn't have to remember it. He never needed to do that, but that small, thoughtful gesture meant the world to me and spoke volumes about who Doug was. Doug was a strong, conservative leader who served with a deep love for our country and brought the heartland to Washington, not the other way around. As a fourth-generation rice farmer, he never forgot who he worked for--farmers, families, and rural communities who were too often ignored by Washington. He will be missed. We will all miss him. My heart is with his family, his staff, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.

View in Record
RECOGNIZING RICHARD NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM2025-12-09

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, in just a short time, our Nation will celebrate America's 250th birthday. This is a moment to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and the shared ideals that have carried us through challenge and triumph. America 250 is not simply a milestone on the calendar. It is a call to remember the innovation, perseverance, and sacrifice that have shaped our Nation, and to keep fighting for the American Dream that has stewarded freedom for generations of Americans. I rise today to recognize the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda for helping lead this nationwide commemoration. Its new exhibit, ``America 250: A More Perfect Union,'' invites visitors to walk through the defining chapters of our shared history, not as distant events, but as living lessons about who we are and who we aspire to be. The Nixon Library has long been a cultural and educational cornerstone in California's 40th Congressional District, enriching our community through its commitment to historical stewardship and civic education. As America prepares for this anniversary, the Nixon Library is once again stepping up to inspire reflection, unity, and renewed purpose. Today, I encourage Americans of all ages to take a moment to engage with our history, to remember the courage of those who came before us, and to ensure the spirit of 1776 continues to guide our path forward. Supporting Individuals Living with Alopecia Areata

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the millions of Americans, including many in my district, who live with alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss and often comes with significant emotional and mental health challenges. Alopecia affects people of every age and background, and for many, the journey can feel isolating or misunderstood. No one should face this condition alone. Raising awareness helps ensure that patients and families receive the understanding, compassion, and support they deserve. Today, I recognize the strength of those living with alopecia and the loved ones who stand beside them. Their resilience reminds us of the importance of community and the need to continue fostering empathy and inclusion for all who are navigating visible and invisible health challenges.

View in Record
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE OVERSIGHT TO ELIMINATE COMMUNIST TEACHINGS FOR OUR KIDS ACT2025-12-04

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1069, the PROTECT Our Kids Act. The Chinese Communist Party is executing the most sophisticated global influence campaign of our time. They are not just targeting our military or U.S. companies. They are targeting our children. One of the CCP's key tools is the Confucius classroom program. These programs are funded, staffed, and overseen by the Chinese Government, giving them direct influence over curriculum, teaching materials, and the content presented to American children. We cannot allow an authoritarian regime that censors information, rewrites history, and silences dissent to have any role in American education. Our classrooms must remain places of learning; not foreign influence. The PROTECT Our Kids Act sets a simple but necessary safeguard: If a school chooses to host a CCP-funded Confucius program, then it should not receive Federal taxpayer dollars. It is as simple as that. This bill upholds academic integrity, protects parents' rights over their child's schooling, counters communist propaganda, and strengthens our national security. The CCP is playing the long game: influencing minds early and often. We must meet this challenge head-on. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and stand firm against foreign indoctrination in American schools.

View in Record
NO NEW BURMA FUNDS ACT2025-12-01

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davidson for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4423, the No New Funds for Burma Act. This bill would suspend disbursements and financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Burma until the Treasury Secretary identifies a meaningful change in regime and restoration of democratic values. In February 2021, the democratically elected members of Burma's Government were deposed by the military junta. As we approach almost 5 years since the military's unlawful seizure of power, chaos has overtaken Burma. Since the coup, more than 6,000 people have been killed, 20,000 detained, and more than 3.5 million displaced from their homes. Caused directly by the Burmese military junta, this humanitarian crisis makes one thing very clear: The regime cannot be trusted to responsibly steward funds from international financial institutions or deliver aid to the communities most in need. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Williams of Georgia for allowing me to co-lead the No New Funds for Burma Act. I urge my colleagues to join us in condemning the ongoing violence in Burma and supporting this legislation.

View in Record
DENOUNCING THE HORRORS OF SOCIALISM2025-11-21

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, it is such an honor to stand here to strongly support H. Con. Res. 58. As a Korean American who grew up in the aftermath of the Korean war, I have witnessed the horrors of socialism firsthand. I always say, if you want to see the difference between socialism and freedom, just look at the Korean Peninsula at night. South Korea shines with opportunity. North Korea is trapped in darkness. Time and time again throughout history, socialism has led to disaster, starvation, imprisonment, and the death of over 100 million people worldwide. My own family lived those horrors. My mother-in-law risked her life crossing the DMZ lines multiple times to rescue loved ones from the North Korean regime. To this day, tens of thousands of Korean families remain separated by a system that tears apart communities and crushes basic human dignity. Now more than ever, as socialist ideas gain traction here at home-- and as our Nation's largest city and financial capital has elected not just a socialist, but a communist as mayor--we must firmly demand our capitalist free market system, which empowers Americans of all backgrounds to achieve freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. I know what America represents because I remember my first glimpse of freedom as a young girl, looking up, wide-eyed, as U.S. soldiers tossed candy from their trucks in the community where I lived. Today, as one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress, that freedom tastes just as sweet.

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, stories like these can only happen in America. As a Member of Congress, I will always fight for the American Dream and for our free market system that keeps it within reach for everyday Americans.

View in Record
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ACT, 20262025-09-19

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker,

View in Record
Announcement by the Acting Chair2025-09-10

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Chair, had I been present, I

View in Record
PROVIDING APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT NEEDED TO ENHANCE RELATIONS ACT2025-09-02

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4490, the PARTNER Act. This bill represents a bold and necessary commitment to strengthening America's engagement with our allies and partner organizations worldwide by granting tailored immunities and privileges. Of note is the inclusion of provisions from the PARTNER Act with the ASEAN Act and the Pacific Partnership Act, which together elevate U.S. cooperation with our Indo-Pacific allies. The Indo-Pacific is home to over one-half of the world's population, vital trade routes, and rapidly growing economies and markets. It is a region that I hold as a key priority as chair of the East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee due to its significance to national security and economic prosperity. Meanwhile, the region also faces significant challenges, including rising geopolitical tensions, maritime disputes, and growing coercion from bad actors seeking to undermine a rules-based order. This bill is long overdue and sends a strong message that the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends, including our Indo-Pacific partners, from the Philippines to Palau, to promote a free, open, and prosperous region. This bill is not just about diplomatic immunities; it is about American leadership on the global stage. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-lead this bill with Representative Castro, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

View in Record
AUKUS REFORM FOR MILITARY OPTIMIZATION AND REVIEW ACT2025-09-02

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4233, the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act, or the ARMOR Act. The ARMOR Act strengthens defense collaboration and trade among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which make up the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. Since its inception in 2021, AUKUS has been key to our collective defense strategy, promoting cooperation on cutting-edge technologies like nuclear-powered submarines, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic systems. Unfortunately, outdated export controls and bureaucratic hurdles currently hinder the efficient sharing of critical defense technologies among our trusted partners. H.R. 4233 addresses these challenges by facilitating quicker, more secure transfers of defense materials while preserving critical protections for sensitive technologies. Specifically, it expands the expedited licensing to include retransfers, removes the congressional notification requirement on certain AUKUS transfers, requires a report on implementation of expedited review for export licenses, and requires an annual review of the Excluded Technology List to ensure the list is relevant and aligned with AUKUS goals. The Indo-Pacific faces growing challenges, and the unholy alliance is growing more brazen and aggressive. This week, Xi Jinping is hosting Iran, North Korea, Russia, and other hostile actors for a military parade. They are clearly sending a message to the United States and our allies that they are more united than ever. Time is of the essence. We need to expedite the AUKUS partners' access to markets and make sure this defense pact is working as intended. Bureaucratic delays to the AUKUS agreement undermine our ability to counter threats and to maintain technological and defense superiority. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to send a strong message to our adversaries and friends alike that the United States is serious about preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific with our allies. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Foreign Arms Sales Task Force co-chairs, Representatives Zinke and Dean, for leading this bill with me.

View in Record
UYGHUR POLICY ACT OF 20252025-09-02

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding and for managing the floor today. I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2635, the Uyghur Policy Act of 2025. The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 comes at a very important time. The Chinese Communist Party continues to deny its genocide against the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. We know that forced sterilization, forced labor, brainwashing, and torture are rampant in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Despite exposure of the CCP's crimes, Xi Jinping is doubling down. A civil society investigation uncovered that the CCP's harassment and forced transfer of Uyghur workers is more pervasive than previously thought, with individuals relocated over 2,000 miles away from the Uyghur region. Meanwhile, Uyghur human rights advocates and family members of detainees are intimidated and harassed by the CCP's transnational repression and espionage campaigns abroad. The fact that this happens here on U.S. soil is unacceptable and threatens our homeland. The Uyghur Policy Act directs the Secretary of State to lead all United States Government policies and programs that support Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It counteracts transnational repression against the Uyghur diaspora and creates reporting mechanisms for Uyghur victims. It also works to expose and disrupt Beijing's state-sponsored forced labor programs that exploit Uyghurs in order to dominate vital industries. This includes the cotton industry, where more than 20 percent of the world's cotton is a product of Uyghur forced labor. We need to make sure that our economy is not subsidized by the CCP's human rights abuses. The United States must show through words and through actions that we will have Uyghurs' backs in their fight against the CCP's tyranny. We must leverage U.S. soft power, garner international support for Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and equip the State Department with the tools that it needs to effectively fight against Xi Jinping's genocidal campaign. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Ami Bera, for leading this bipartisan legislation with me, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

View in Record
SINGLE, UNIQUE ZIP CODES FOR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES2025-07-21

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3095, which directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate a unique ZIP Code for certain communities, including North Tustin in my district. North Tustin has been a pillar of our Orange County community and a census-designated place. However, its status as an unincorporated area has caused confusion for the Postal Service and for tax purposes. For example, North Tustin residents are subject to the city of Santa Ana's sales tax, despite not being represented or eligible for services or a vote in the local elections. Providing North Tustin with a unique ZIP Code will create certainty for residents who have called North Tustin home for decades and provide clarity for tax purposes to surrounding areas, and USPS. I thank Representative Boebert and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for working with me on this commonsense, bipartisan measure, and I am hopeful that we can get through to the finish line and help our communities. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

View in Record
IMPROVING ACCESS TO SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION ACT2025-07-21

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3351, the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act. Orange County, which I am proud to represent, is home to over 100,000 small businesses. It takes grit, perseverance, and commitment for entrepreneurs to make an idea into a reality. To help with some of those challenges facing small businesses, the Securities and Exchange Commission created an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation. Each year, the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation hosts events across the country, including California. These events aim to support small businesses and better understand the issues that they face in raising funds. Unfortunately, burdensome regulations often prevent the advocate from asking the right type of questions. The former director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, Ms. Martha Miller, said that: The office went through a yearlong process just to collect registration information for our annual forum and ask a few basic questions to understand the audience attending. The unfortunate truth is that regulations handicap us from understanding the needs of small businesses. My bill is very simple. The legislation would specify that activities like conducting field surveys carried out by the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation are not a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Currently, OMB's approval process is prolonged and bureaucratic, which delays feedback collection from small businesses and their investors. Preventing these delays will enable the advocate to gather more effective and timely data. The better information that the advocate can gather, the better the SEC can respond, and the better off our small businesses will be. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gottheimer for working with me on this commonsense legislation, and I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3351.

View in Record
CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT JUNE 2025 RIOTS IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA2025-06-27

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kiley for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 516 to condemn the violent riots in Los Angeles this month, and I thank our brave law enforcement officers for keeping us safe. I appreciate the heated debate and the conversation. I thank my colleague (Mr. Kiley) for leading on the groundwork and for explaining what led to the events that occurred last month in Los Angeles, which explains that Federal agents were conducting immigration enforcement, according to the law. Mr. Speaker, protecting public safety should not be controversial. This resolution is very simple. It recognizes a right to assemble and protest peacefully, and it condemns unequivocally the violence perpetrated against Federal, State, and local law enforcement. It calls on local and State-elected leadership to work with the Federal Government and restore peace. It also expresses gratitude to our local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers for bravely keeping our communities safe in the face of danger. That is what this is about. Do you stand with our law enforcement officers working to keep our communities safe and have the common sense to call out rioters who commit vandalism, violence, property damage, and other crimes in our streets? Mr. Speaker, like others in the Chamber and many across this country, I am an immigrant who came here legally in pursuit of the opportunities that this country provides. I am proud to be an American, and I am paying it forward to keep the American Dream alive for my children and grandchildren. Peaceful protests are a constitutional right we all cherish, and our communities should not be living in fear. But peaceful protests and freedom of assembly gave way to chaos in Los Angeles, as we witnessed a few weeks ago. We saw acts of arson, looting, property destruction, vandalism, blocking streets and highways, lighting cars on fire, shooting fireworks, throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles, and even assaulting Federal and local police officers. As a result, we saw more than 500 rioters were arrested, and at least a dozen LAPD officers were injured. Local and State leadership clearly could not contain the chaos. The riots have cost at least $30 million to pay overtime and repair property damages to city buildings. This doesn't include the small businesses and other private entities whose businesses fell victim to the destruction. We also know that the riots were enabled by California's soft-on- crime policies that have allowed for lawlessness and endangered public safety. Again, this resolution recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully, condemns the violence against law enforcement, and calls on local and State officials to work with the Federal Government to restore peace. We thank our law enforcement. This is not controversial.

View in Record
TAIWAN NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 20252025-06-23

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Wagner for yielding and supporting my legislation. I would also like to thank Representative Green of Texas for co-leading H.R. 910 and making this a bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 910, the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act. This bill is simple. It requires the Treasury Department to advocate for Taiwan to join the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. Unfortunately, China has consistently blocked Taiwan's participation in international forums, including IMF. China pursues these tactics because they know that financial security is just as important as military security. Defense experts have identified that China could exploit Taiwan's financial system by raising tariffs, short-selling stocks, and freezing bank transfers. Joining the IMF would allow Taiwan to access resources that promote financial resilience and deter China's economic coercion. It has been the longstanding U.S. policy toward Taiwan to support its membership in international organizations where statehood is not a prerequisite. We must continue to advocate for Taiwan's voice to be heard where membership is not possible. This principle has lasted decades across Republican and Democratic administrations, and it has repeatedly been reaffirmed in bills passed by this Congress. Mr. Speaker, advocating for Taiwan's membership in the IMF would also unlock access to other international financial institutions. The World Bank, for instance, requires members to first be a part of the IMF. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 910 and send the Taiwanese people a strong message of solidarity and support for their democracy.

View in Record
HONORING OTTO FREDERICK WARMBIER2025-06-12

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember Otto Frederick Warmbier as June 19 marks 8 years since his tragic death at the hands of the North Korea regime. Otto was a dedicated young man who graduated as salutatorian of his high school in Ohio before attending the University of Virginia. While on a school tour in North Korea in 2015, Otto was imprisoned and tortured by the North Korea regime. He died just a few days after his release at just 22 years young. Otto experienced what no human being should ever have to go through. May his story continue to remind us of all the atrocities the North Korea regime is capable of. Mr. Speaker, we remember, and we will continue to honor Otto and his memories. In Korean: ``Ulineun Otto-leul yeong-wonhi gieok-hal geos- ibnida.''

View in Record
STRENGTHENING THE QUAD ACT2025-05-19

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Huizenga for yielding, and I thank our ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Meeks, also for managing this on the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1263, the Strengthening the Quad Act. As you have heard, Mr. Speaker, the Quad comprises four nations: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. It is the cornerstone of our strategy to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, counter the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, and maintain stability and U.S. interests in what the Department of Defense has deemed the priority theater. Against the backdrop of the CCP's militarization of the South China Sea, coercive economic practices, and territorial disputes, the Quad amplifies our four democracies' deterrence and economic, defense, and technological cooperation. The Strengthening the Quad Act takes our alliance a step further by creating a comprehensive Quad strategy and establishing a Quad Inter- Parliamentary Working Group that reinforces America's commitment to our allies in the region. I have seen the benefit of inter-parliamentary working groups coming together, having worked on one of those in the past, and I think this is going to really bring all of our interested parties together to really work on finding solutions to keep our strategic security partnerships stronger. Now is the time to ramp up the Quad's collaboration on maritime security, cybersecurity, and efforts to counter disinformation to protect our allies and friends, especially the Pacific Island nations. They are counting on us to show up. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-lead this important legislation with Representative Meeks, and I urge all my colleagues to support the Strengthening the Quad Act.

View in Record
IMPROVING VA TRAINING FOR MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA CLAIMS ACT2025-05-19

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act. Mr. Speaker, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men experience military sexual trauma, or MST, as a servicemember. As many of my colleagues have already stated, a claim based on MST can be difficult to prove because MST often goes unreported during military service. Furthermore, evidence indicating that MST occurred is difficult to evaluate, and VA claims processors and examiners do not have sufficient training to recognize indirect evidence of MST. They are also not required to undergo annual sensitivity training to reduce the risk of retraumatizing survivors of MST. Further, the law requires VA to help veterans filing disability benefits claims based on MST to gather evidence for their claims. However, VA does not always obtain a veteran's complete service personnel and medical records, which can provide crucial evidence to prove an MST claim. This bipartisan bill works to improve the MST claim process by requiring VA employees working on these cases to complete annual training to better identify evidence and to ensure that veterans are not retraumatized during the examination process. Additionally, the VA would be required to automatically obtain all service personnel and medical records for veterans filing an MST claim to ensure their cases are processed in an accurate and timely manner. Streamlining the MST claim process and improving VA training will ensure veterans who endured MST can more easily access their earned benefits and ensure they are treated with compassion during the claims process. I thank Representatives Nikki Budzinski, Don Bacon, and Chrissy Houlahan for their collaboration on this commonsense, bipartisan measure that provides survivors of MST with the support and protection they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act.

View in Record
STOCK TRADING BAN FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS2025-05-14

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress are here to serve their constituents and the American people; not themselves. Unfortunately, we see this year after year with Members of Congress making lucrative stock trades while their constituents struggle to make ends meet. We must restore public trust in this body, and that starts with each of us in this Chamber. There is no reason why Members of Congress should be able to trade stocks while in office, period. American taxpayers deserve better. That is why I am proud to have helped introduce the TRUST in Congress Act. This bipartisan bill would prohibit Members of Congress, in addition to their spouses and children, to trade stocks while in office. This isn't rocket science. This is common sense. Let's just restore trust back in Congress.

View in Record