U.S. Representative Young Kim, who represents California’s 40th district in Congress, voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA) on December 12, 2025. The legislation aims to strengthen national defense and support U.S. servicemembers.
“As China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran deepen their Unholy Alliance, now is the time to uphold President Trump’s peace through strength agenda and restore accountability and innovation,” said Rep. Young Kim. “This legislation equips our military with next-generation tools to deter aggression, bolsters our domestic workforce, empowers law enforcement to combat terrorism and drug trafficking, rewards our dedicated servicemembers and their families, and strengthens cooperation with key allies like Israel, Australia, and our Indo-Pacific friends. I’m proud to have secured key provisions that reinforce America’s global leadership and keep our nation safe.”
Rep. Kim played a role in securing several provisions within the FY26 NDAA that focus on U.S. security interests in the Indo-Pacific region:
– The Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act directs the U.S. governor at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advocate for Taiwan’s membership and participation amid ongoing pressure from China.
– The ARMOR Act is designed to speed up defense cooperation among AUKUS partners—the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom—by expediting export reviews and technology sharing.
– The Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act establishes a registry for Korean American families seeking reunification with relatives in North Korea.
– Provisions updating the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) aim to modernize its operations in sectors such as critical minerals and energy while countering economic strategies by China.
Young Kim has served as a member of Congress since 2021 after replacing Gil Cisneros as representative for California’s 40th district. Before her tenure in Congress, she was a member of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016. Born in Incheon, South Korea in 1962, Kim resides in La Habra and graduated from the University of Southern California with a BBA in 1985.
