Young Kim

Rep. Young Kim Leads Bill to Deter CCP Aggression Against Taiwan - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Young Kim supports legislation establishing an interagency task force to develop coordinated sanctions and economic measures against China in response to potential military or political aggression against Taiwan, with the goal of deterring such action through credible economic consequences.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, introduced the Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act to put Beijing on notice and ensure the United States has a  coordinated sanctions strategy ready should the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) move to take physical or political control of Taiwan. The legislation establishes an interagency task force, or “Tiger Team,” to evaluate existing and new sanctions authorities and other economic measures, identify PRC targets of such sanctions, and improve allied economic coordination to deter aggression against Taiwan. “Xi Jinping has directed the People’s Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. China has a plan. America should have one too,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Deterrence only works if our adversaries know we are prepared to act decisively. This bill sends a clear message to Beijing: any move against Taiwan will come with swift, coordinated, and devastating economic consequences.” “China’s aggression threatens not just Taiwan, but the broader stability of the Indo-Pacific,” said Rep. Olszewski. I’m proud to co-lead this bill to ensure the United States is ready with a coordinated and effective response if Beijing uses force against Taiwan. The best way to prevent conflict is to be fully prepared before it starts.” This legislation will establish a China Sanctions Task Force led by the State Department and Treasury Department to: Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Young Kim Leads FLEETS Now Act to Counter China’s Grip on Global Shipbuilding and Restore U.S. Maritime Dominance - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Young Kim introduced the FLEETS Now Act to counter China's dominance in global shipbuilding by strengthening U.S. shipbuilding capacity, aligning federal agencies, and partnering with allied nations to restore American maritime competitiveness and security.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through Exchange and Training in Shipbuilding (FLEETS) Now Act to counter China's unfair shipbuilding practices and rebuild America's maritime industry. China controls over 50 percent of the global shipbuilding industry, funneling that revenue directly into the People's Liberation Army’s (PLA) naval buildup. The FLEETS Now Act counters this threat by strengthening U.S. shipbuilding capacity, ensuring maritime regulations reflect American interests, aligning US departments and agencies to work more efficiently together, and bolstering partnerships with trusted allies to restore American competitiveness at sea. “The Chinese Communist Party has spent decades rigging the global shipbuilding market, converting billions in foreign revenue into their own military, and hollowing out American maritime capacity,” said Rep. Young Kim. “That ends today. An America First economy means American ships, American workers, and American strength on land and at sea in partnership with our trusted allies. The FLEETS Now Act takes direct aim at Beijing’s chokehold by rebuilding our shipbuilding base and ensuring the United States—not China—sets the course for global commerce and security.” “American Samoa stands alone, far from the rest of the country. We rely on international shipping companies for everyday items that many Americans take for granted,” said Rep. Radewagen. “Expanding the ability for the United States to purchase ships built by friendly countries can promote the safety and prosperity of our island home.” If we’re serious about countering the PRC and securing our supply chains, we need to lead again on the seas. America’s maritime strength has been allowed to erode while the Chinese Communist Party has aggressively expanded its shipbuilding dominance. Stronger domestic shipbuilding capacity and targeted actions on bad actors in the region will restore American competitiveness and rebuild a critical workforce that once powered communities here at home,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. Specifically, the FLEETS Now Act will bolster U.S. shipbuilding capacities by: Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution condemning the politically...

Rep. Young Kim Chairs North Korea Freedom Week Roundtable, Urges Passage of North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Kim advocates for passage of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would reauthorize and strengthen the North Korean Human Rights Act to support defectors and hold the North Korean regime accountable for human rights abuses.

Apr 29, 2026 | In the News, Press Releases WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted the 23rd annual North Korea Freedom Week Roundtable, joining 11 North Korean defectors to shed light on the regime’s ongoing human rights abuses and the urgent need to support those seeking freedom. Participants shared firsthand accounts of the brutal conditions, systemic repression, and constant surveillance faced by the North Korean people. Their testimonies underscored the moral urgency for Congress to act and made clear why lawmakers must pass the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025, Chairwoman Kim’s legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the landmark North Korean Human Rights Act first enacted in 2004. “Kim Jong Un knows nothing but power and is hellbent on lining his own pockets and expanding his nuclear arsenal at the expense of his own people. The gross human rights abuses perpetuated on the North Korean people cannot be tolerated,” said Chairwoman Kim. “Hearing directly from defectors is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake and why we must stand with the freedom-loving people trapped under this brutal regime. I’m proud to lead the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act to ensure the United States continues to take action and hold Kim Jong Un accountable.” Read more about the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act HERE. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution condemning the politically...

Rep. Young Kim Delivers Remarks during Financial Services Committee Hearing - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Kim supports the Trump administration's revised capital proposal, characterizing it as an improvement over the Biden-Harris era rule that she argues restricted small business and working family access to capital.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial Services Committee hearing: “Prioritizing Main Street: Evaluating the Impact of Capital Proposals on Economic Growth and American Communities.” As a House Financial Services Committee member, Rep. Kim spoke about how the Trump administration's revised proposal would be a significant improvement upon the Biden-Harris era proposed rule that restricted access to capital for small businesses and working families. She reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for Main Street and ensuring American communities have the credit and resources they need to thrive. Watch Rep. Young Kim's remarks HERE. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution condemning the politically...

Rep. Young Kim Leads Resolution Condemning Targeted Attack on President Donald J. Trump and His Administration, Calls Out Rising Political Violence - Congresswoman Young Kim

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution condemning the politically motivated attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which targeted President Donald J. Trump and other senior U.S. government officials. The resolution follows a string of politically motivated assassination attempts and a growing wave of violent political extremism. On April 25, a gunman armed with multiple weapons opened fire at the Washington Hilton, explicitly targeting President Trump and members of his administration before being stopped bythe United States Secret Service. “This attack is not an isolated incident. This is yet another attempt at our President’s life and part of a far more concerning trend of political violence that has been completely normalized,” said Rep. Young Kim. “We have seen escalating rhetoric over the years demonizing President Trump and anyone who supports him. Now we’re seeing the consequences play out in real time. We cannot allow this violent rhetoric to go unchecked. Political violence has no place in America.” In response to these events, Rep. Young Kim’s resolution: Read the full resolution HERE. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Young Kim’s Bill to Boost Geothermal Energy Passes U.S. House of Representatives - Congresswoman Young Kim

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) to expand domestic energy production, cut red tape, and secure our energy supply chains. The HEATS Act boosts U.S. energy supply by removing unnecessary federal barriers to geothermal projects, allowing producers to move forward more quickly when state permitting processes are already in place. Geothermal energy is a reliable, around-the-clock power source that can generate electricity, heat homes, and power industrial processes. Rep. Young Kim spoke on the House floor in support of H.R.5587. Watch HERE. “Energy independence has always made America great. Geothermal development will help unleash America’s all-of-the-above energy strategy and power America’s future,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The HEATS Act cuts unnecessary red tape, strengthens our energy security and supply chains, and brings more affordable, reliable power online. I’m proud to see this vital legislation pass the House. For Californians facing some of the highest energy costs in the country, this relief can’t come soon enough.” “America should be producing more of its own energy. It is that simple,” Chairwoman of the Republican Conference, Lisa McClain. “Right now, we have projects that are ready to go, but they get stuck in layers of federal red tape. That drives up costs and slows everything down. This bill clears the way so we can build faster, lower costs, and rely less on foreign energy.” “Geothermal is an affordable and reliable energy source that can help power America,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman. “I thank Representative Kim for leading the HEATS Act to eliminate duplicative permitting processes for geothermal resources on state and private lands. I urge the Senate to act quickly to pass this bill to help lower energy costs for American families.” This legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support in the 118th Congress and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Young Kim Introduces Stop DEI Act to Protect Equal Opportunity in Higher Education - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Kim introduced legislation to prohibit higher education institutions receiving federal funding from considering race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national origin in admissions and student aid decisions, arguing that students should be evaluated as individuals based on merit and financial need rather than identity-based criteria.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Stop DEI Act to ensure that institutions of higher education receiving federal funding comply with U.S. civil rights laws and uphold equal treatment for all students. Over the past several decades, voters and courts have consistently affirmed that identity-based preferences have no place in public education, from California’s Proposition 209 to the Supreme Court’s decision requiring that students be evaluated as individuals under the law. At the same time, emerging state-level efforts, including California’s ACA 7, seek to reintroduce consideration of race, sex, ethnicity, color, and national origin through new statutory frameworks. The Stop DEI Act reinforces existing federal civil rights protections by ensuring that institutions receiving federal funds do not engage in practices that violate those laws. This legislation ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to support discriminatory practices and reinforces the simple principle that students should be treated as individuals, not sorted by race. “As one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress, I can tell you firsthand: no one wants to be reduced to a DEI checkbox. I am so much more than that, and our children are so much more than that,” said Rep. Kim. “That’s why I’m introducing the Stop DEI Act to ensure these far-left policies don’t continue unchecked. Equal opportunity is as American as it gets. I will keep fighting to protect it and ensure taxpayer dollars never discriminate against our students.” "Students should be evaluated based on merit and true financial need, not immutable characteristics like race, gender, or ethnicity. Discriminatory DEI policies are not just fundamentally unfair and inconsistent with our country’s founding principles, but they also rob future generations of American success. I applaud Representative Kim’s leadership in preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to advance DEI in admission and student aid decisions,” said Rep. Donalds. “DEI has no place in American colleges and universities,” said Congressman Burchett. “I’m proud to have partnered with Rep. Young Kim on this legislation to ensure no student is selected over another solely based on DEI-related criteria,” said Rep. Burchett. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Kim Introduces PACE Act to Make Everyday Payments Faster, Cheaper, and More Efficient for Americans - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Kim supports legislation to modernize payment infrastructure by enabling qualified non-bank payment providers direct access to federal payment systems, reducing transaction delays and fees for consumers and small businesses.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Sam Liccardo (CA-16) introduced the Payments Access and Consumer Efficiency (PACE) Act to help Americans send and receive money faster and with fewer fees by modernizing how payment companies access payment rails. Today, when Americans use a payment app to send or receive money, their transaction often passes through multiple layers before it reaches its destination, slowing down payments and adding extra costs along the way. The PACE Act addresses this by enabling qualified providers to access federal payment systems directly, reducing delays and lowering costs for consumers and small businesses. "Whether it’s splitting a bill, paying rent, or waiting on a paycheck to clear, Americans are often stuck dealing with delays and increased fees due to outdated payment infrastructure," said Rep. Young Kim. "Hardworking Americans shouldn’t have to wait days to access their own money or pay extra just to move it. My PACE Act modernizes our system to deliver faster payments, lower costs, and helps families and small businesses keep more of their hard-earned money." “We can reduce the burden of bank fees borne by too many American families by enabling broader access to innovative payment systems that deliver cheaper, faster, more reliable service,” said Rep. Liccardo. “I’m proud to partner with Young Kim on this bipartisan PACE Act, to modernize our payment system for the benefit of millions of cash-strapped Americans.” This legislation has been endorsed by Financial Technology Association, Blockchain Association, The Digital Chamber, and The Crypto Council For Innovation. “American consumers and small businesses shouldn’t have to wait days for a direct deposit to clear or a vendor check to arrive in the mail. Allowing regulated payment firms access to federal payment rails will enable faster transactions, lower costs, and more seamless experiences on par with other leading economies. We thank Congresswoman Kim and Congressman Liccardo for their leadership on this important effort to upgrade our national payments infrastructure,” said Penny Lee, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association. “For too long, digital asset payment companies have been locked out of the same financial infrastructure that their competitors have access to. The PACE Act allows qualified nonbank providers to obtain direct access to Federal Reserve payment rails, enabling faster, less expensive, and more competitive payment services for American consumers and businesses. We commend Representatives Kim and Liccardo for this important step forward,” said Summer Mersinger, CEO, Blockchain Association. "The Digital Chamber, the world’s largest digital asset and blockchain trade association, is proud to support the bipartisan PACE Act as a thoughtful, forward-looking proposal to modernize access to America’s core payment rails. By creating a pathway for qualified payments companies to access a subset of Federal Reserve payment services through a tailored account structure, the bill would help ensure our payments infrastructure evolves alongside innovation in a safe and responsible way. We applaud Reps. Kim and Liccardo for their leadership on this important effort to strengthen and modernize the U.S. payments system,” said Cody Carbone, CEO, The Digital Chamber. CCI supports Rep. Kim and Rep. Liccardo’s efforts to modernize the payment landscape through the PACE Act, which would allow businesses with 40 or more money transmitter licenses to comply with a uniform federal regulatory framework under OCC supervision. The PACE Act would also improve competition by expanding access to Federal Reserve payment services to well-regulated institutions that meet strong consumer protection standards. CCI looks forward to working with Congress to advance responsible payments innovation and ensure that Americans benefit from secure and efficient payments options,” said Ji Hun Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI). Key provisions of the PACE Act include: Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Young Kim Introduces Legislation to Deport Drunk Driving Illegal Aliens - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Young Kim introduced legislation to classify DUI offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury by undocumented immigrants as aggravated felonies, making offenders permanently ineligible for immigration status and subject to deportation with permanent bars to reentry.

Washington D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act, bicameral legislation that ensures illegal immigrants who kill or seriously injure Americans through drunk driving are deported and permanently barred from reentry into the United States. Under current federal law, drunk driving is not consistently treated as a standalone ground for deportation. This allows illegal aliens who commit these life-altering crimes to avoid removal from the United States and even re-offend upon release. The Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act closes this dangerous loophole by classifying DUI offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury as aggravated felonies under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and making offenders permanently ineligible for immigration status, including asylum and Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. “Drunk driving destroys lives and tears families apart. When it involves illegal aliens who shouldn’t have been here in the first place, it’s entirely preventable,” said Rep. Young Kim. “This bill is simple and enforces what should already be common sense. If you enter our country illegally, get behind the wheel drunk, and hurt innocent Americans, you will be deported and never allowed back.” "Illegal aliens who drive under the influence are a danger to our communities and must be held accountable. This legislation strengthens immigration law and ensures that illegal aliens committing these crimes can never enter our country and put Americans in danger again," said Congressman Joyce. "Too many lives have been lost to impaired drivers. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing common-sense legislation to help fight this issue." “Biden’s border crisis allowed millions of illegal immigrants to flood our southern border,” said Congressman Burchett. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this legislation to increase penalties for any illegal immigrant convicted of a DUI. "Illegal immigrants who disrespect our laws and endanger American lives by driving while intoxicated deserve no mercy from our justice system," said Congressman Meuser. "Today, my colleagues and I are taking a crucial step to protect the American people from these dangerous criminals by ensuring they are never again allowed to set foot in our country." The legislation is endorsed by the Border Trade Alliance, FAIR, and NumbersUSA. Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...

Rep. Young Kim Chairs Joint Subcommittee Hearing on Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy - Congresswoman Young Kim

Position: Rep. Kim advocates for structural reforms to U.S. commercial diplomacy, including potential consolidation of the Foreign Commercial Service into the State Department and creation of a dedicated commercial diplomacy career track, to better compete with China and support American businesses abroad.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) chaired a joint subcomittee hearing "Helping American Business Win Broad: Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy." As Chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, she argues that commercial diplomacy is foreign policy and calls for bold structural reforms to better compete with China. Watch remarks HERE or read below. “Good morning and welcome to this joint East Asia and Pacific and Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee hearing titled “Helping American Businesses Win Abroad: Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy.”” Commercial diplomacy is no longer a supporting function of foreign policy—it is foreign policy. The Trump Administration has made clear that economic security is national security, and that how we compete economically abroad directly shapes our strategic position in the world. This is the right time to take a hard look at whether our current approach to commercial diplomacy is fit for purpose. The United States possesses strong tools to support American businesses overseas, but those tools are not always organized or deployed to maximize impact. Our current model is split across multiple agencies and unevenly implemented at our embassies and posts abroad. This can create gaps in execution, unclear lines of responsibility, and missed opportunities. At the same time, global competition is intensifying, and the demands on our commercial diplomacy system are only growing. We see this challenge most clearly in our competition with China, which deploys a highly coordinated, state-backed approach to supporting its companies abroad. The challenge for the United States is not merely recognizing this reality, but ensuring our own system is structured to compete effectively. Incremental changes will not be enough. This moment calls for more fundamental—and potentially disruptive—thinking about how we organize and execute commercial diplomacy. We should be willing to question whether a structure largely unchanged for decades remains right for today’s challenges. That includes examining whether consolidating commercial diplomacy functions—such as by moving the Foreign Commercial Service into the Department of State—could improve coordination and deliver better results. It also means considering whether the State Department itself needs to build a stronger, more specialized commercial diplomacy capability, potentially through reform of the economic officer track or the creation of a dedicated commercial diplomacy career track. Ultimately, commercial diplomacy succeeds or fails at post. We must ensure we have the right people, with the right expertise, in the right places, and that they are properly empowered and incentivized to deliver results for American businesses. Structure, workforce, and incentives all matter if we are serious about helping U.S. companies win abroad. Congress has taken important steps to elevate commercial diplomacy, including through prior reforms focused on the role of Chiefs of Mission. Yet we also have a responsibility to assess whether deeper structural changes are needed to align our resources, authorities, and personnel systems with our strategic objectives. Today’s witnesses bring valuable firsthand experience from the field. We look forward to hearing what is working, where the system is falling short, and—most importantly—what changes would have the greatest impact. We are particularly interested in ideas that go beyond incremental fixes and address the underlying structure of the system itself. If we want American businesses to win abroad, we need a new commercial diplomacy model that is coordinated and competitive. That may require us to rethink long-standing structures and consider bold new approaches. I look forward to a candid discussion on how we can get this right.” Signup to receive our Email Newsletters WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Facilitating Leadership and Expertise through... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted... WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) delivered remarks during the House Financial...