Young Kim

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Young Kim

Current job title: US Representative, California’s 40th District

Age: 63

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: California State Assembly

City where you reside: Anaheim

Campaign website or social media: YoungKimforCongress.com

From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)

Californians are faced with exorbitant cost-of-living, persistent crime, and out-of-control fraud that is ripping off taxpayers. With our state having some of the highest gas and energy prices nationwide, I have made it a priority to work toward securing our energy supply chains by introducing legislation like the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act that unlocks affordable American energy that is under our feet. I also voted to reform permitting, increase domestic energy production and have repeatedly demanded that Governor Newsom suspend the gas tax to give immediate relief to hardworking Californians.

The Trump Administration has made it a priority to expose the rampant fraud of federal dollars that has been taking place across the country, including in California. Misuse of federal taxpayer dollars cheats Americans out of money that belongs in their own pockets. I have made it a priority to target this out-of-control fraud in federal spending through my legislation, the No More SCAMS Act, which creates a federal fraud task force to identify and crack down on fraud involving federal taxpayer dollars. We have seen tens of billions of dollars in fraud in California in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment benefits. Los Angeles County alone is at the center of egregious hospice care fraud totaling up to $3.5 billion. This is unacceptable, and we must address it.

Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. In our country, states run and oversee elections while Congress passes legislation to set national standards that uphold security and integrity. I supported the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to ensure only American citizens can vote in American elections, and I support voter ID in California and across the country so every legal vote counts and every election is secure. To purchase alcohol, board a flight, or even shovel snow in Zohran Mamdani’s NYC, you need a valid ID. Election integrity is common sense, and it’s critical to making America great again.

What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Border security should be our number one priority. Without a secure border, it is impossible to address any other part of our immigration system. Under the Biden Administration’s disastrous open-border policies, our nation was flooded with deadly fentanyl that destroyed lives and millions of unvetted individuals, some of whom are criminals or on the terror watch list. If we had a secure border, countless Americans would not have suffered or lost their loved ones to individuals who were not supposed to be in the United States in the first place. We must continue to find these criminals and deport them before they create more chaos.

I care about border security because we need to keep our nation safe and put Americans first. I am proud to have supported the largest investment in border security in our country’s history through the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I will continue to support commonsense legislation that keeps our communities safe and our nation secure.

It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Wildfires do not discriminate. They impact everyone, and we saw that in our communities in Orange and Riverside Counties during the recent Airport Fire. I have made clear that disaster relief should not be delayed. I will continue to push for this funding through the appropriations process and speak to the administration about the importance of rebuilding our communities after wildfires.

Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I support banning lawmakers from buying and selling individual stocks, and I helped introduce the Stop Insider Trading Act, and several similar bills that do exactly that. We should not have to worry about politicians enriching themselves at the expense of hardworking Americans. We have seen this time and time again, from members of Congress pushing projects that benefit themselves to Nancy Pelosi making millions of dollars from stock trading. Either Congress has the best investors the world has ever seen, or some elected officials are using their positions to benefit themselves. We need to drain the swamp and put a stop to this corruption.

Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Californians are currently faced with burdensome, unrealistic regulations that raise energy prices and make life unaffordable. Governor Newsom’s out-of-touch climate policies have been overly strict and unfeasible, and are in the process of causing an energy crisis in our state. Take, for example, his ban on the sale of new gasoline-only cars by 2035. Policies like these hurt working families, and we need to acknowledge that there is a smart way to secure our energy future without making Californians pay the price.

I support an all-of-the-above energy policy. I introduced the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act, which streamlines permitting for energy projects and advances energy production here at home, and I also advanced major permitting reform legislation like the SPEED Act, which expedites federal approval for energy development. These bills ensure Americans have access to affordable energy options, reduce our energy dependence on adversaries, and create jobs and economic prosperity.

President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The United States’ national security is a top priority. We have seen adversaries around the world threaten our citizens and interests. The administration continues to brief Congress on the ongoing operations in Iran, and we must provide the resources that our military needs to execute and accomplish our goals. If there is a clear, compelling case made for additional defense spending to counter threats to U.S. personnel and national security, then I would not hesitate to support an increase in funding.

Strong congressional oversight and collaboration with the administration is ongoing and will continue. A strong America and a robust military keeps Americans safe and our country secure.

Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The United States should engage in war when there is a clear, compelling case or an imminent threat to American lives and our national security. We should also ensure that alternative measures like diplomatic and economic pressure have been exhausted. We must only go to war with decisive and overwhelming power that does not put our military servicemembers in unnecessary danger and lead to an unwanted forever war.

Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

When it comes to major military actions, Congress must be consulted and has the authority to declare war.

However, the President has the authority to take actions to protect the safety of Americans and the national security of the United States. In the case of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump took decisive action in response to threats from the Iranian regime and their refusal to dismantle its nuclear program and end its reign of terror against the United States. The administration briefed Congressional leaders ahead of the operation, immediately followed by briefings to all Members of Congress. President Trump has said the operation will be limited in timeframe and has specific operational goals. Congress has the ability to provide oversight and exercise its authority at any time.

Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Congress has constitutional authority to oversee and check the Executive Branch. Under this administration, each congressional committee has consistently held oversight hearings in which administration officials testify and answer for the administration’s policies. Where departments and officials have fallen short, they have had to answer to Congress. Over the past several months, my committees have questioned many high-ranking officials, including Secretary Rubio and Secretary Bessent. I pressed them on important policy issues we must address, and I will continue to exercise my authority as a member of the House of Representatives.

Under the last administration, I believe Congress fell short. For example, there were several instances of my Democrat colleagues downplaying, defending, or misleading on the administration’s failures and key issues of concern, including the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden’s declining health, wasteful spending, and executive overreach.

Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As a mother of four and a grandmother of two, I am genuinely concerned about social media’s negative impact on children’s mental health. There is a role at the state and federal levels to keep our children safe. I also believe that parents and schools need to be empowered to educate and protect children. The trend of schools banning phones in the classroom is a welcome development. We should consider all solutions, including digital literacy education for parents and children to learn how to use social media safely and responsibly.

Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Congress can ensure that our border is secure, our law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels are properly funded, and federal laws protect everyday Americans. In Congress, I have done just that. I have worked to crack down on foreign theft gangs and fentanyl traffickers that are targeting our communities. I have also secured funding to allow local law enforcement agencies to more effectively catch and prosecute criminals, go after gangs and protect against threats from terrorism to everyday crimes.

I am proud to have worked with President Trump to secure historic investments to secure our border, build the wall and catch dangerous criminal illegal aliens. These investments will ensure the crisis that Joe Biden created at the border and disrupted so many communities is ended.

There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I believe in term limits and support legislation to establish term limits in Congress. Over the years, career politicians created a mess in Washington, which is why we elected an outsider like President Trump to fix it. From forever wars to massive debt, we have seen the same old politicians destroy our country while enriching themselves. This has to stop. I will continue to work to drain the swamp.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I love karaoke, and I’ve been told my karaoke voice is pretty good. Just turn on Dancing Queen, and I’ll let it rip!