One year ago this week I was sworn in as one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress. Each day I am so thankful for the opportunity to live my American dream and to serve our community. I'm so proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to the new year ahead. 

Small businesses are the backbone of our community. I am proud to work closely with small business owners in Orange County on my Small Business Advisory Board. I have also supported policies this year that would provide tax credits to small businesses and simplify regulatory burdens and high taxes that hurt our country’s job creators. 

At the beginning of 2021, I was appointed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which is a bipartisan group dedicated to exposing the CCP’s human rights abuses to the world. Throughout the year I’ve been outspoken against China’s human rights abuses, supported legislation to hold China accountable, and urged the International Olympic Committee to move the Olympic games out of Beijing.

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Our beautiful beaches and coastline are a source of pride and an economic driver in our community. In October, we experienced an oil spill that was devastating to local wildlife, businesses, and all who call our beach community home. I immediately requested a disaster declaration from President Biden and demanded accountability from those who were responsible for the damage. I also introduced the SHIP Act, which would temporarily ban cargo ships – like the one believed to be responsible for dragging an oil pipeline and causing the spill – from idling off our coast.

In 2021, I was proud to support several bills that support our nation’s veterans and have worked closely with veterans groups in our community. In August, I launched my Veterans Advisory Board, which is made up of veterans that represent multiple branches of the Military and civilians who work in veteran services. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for students, parents, and teachers. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I have worked this year to support reopening our schools, expanding school choice, and making sure students have the resources they need to succeed.

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Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect our families and our communities every day. Thousands of Orange County officers work day and night to make sure that our homes, schools, places of work and worship are safe. I will always support our law enforcement, and I have worked closely this year with my Law Enforcement Advisory Board to make sure their voices and needs are heard in Congress.

The rise in discrimination and hate against Asian Americans over the last two years has been heartbreaking. I am committed to protecting our AAPI community and denouncing hate in all forms. That’s why I introduced a bipartisan resolution to condemn these hate crimes and hold those responsible accountable. I also formed an AAPI Advisory Board to keep a pulse on issues of importance to our local AAPI community.

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I’ll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you up to date on my work on behalf of our Orange County community, so make sure you sign up for regular updates.

You can also connect with my official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, where I’ll be posting the latest news and updates.