The 119th U.S. Congress officially began on January 3, with three Korean-American representatives poised to make their mark in Washington, D.C.
While the previous Congress featured four Korean-American lawmakers, the number has decreased to three following Andy Kim’s (D-NJ) transition to the Senate and the narrow defeat of former Rep. Michelle Steel. However, Dave Min (D-CA, 47th District) joins the House as a newcomer, representing California.
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA, 40th District), now a three-term Congresswoman, and Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA, 10th District) are expected to solidify their influence as senior figures within their respective parties over the next two years. Meanwhile, freshman Rep. Dave Min will focus on establishing a strong network in Washington.
Sen. Andy Kim, the first Korean-American elected to the U.S. Senate, described his new role as an “unimaginable honor” during the opening day of Congress. He emphasized his commitment to serving as a bridge between the United States and South Korea.
Senator Kim has been assigned to key areas of commerce, transportation, and homeland security. According to his office, Senator Kim began his legislative work on January 3, focusing on domestic issues such as finance, housing, healthcare, education, and labor, as well as immigration and border management under the homeland security umbrella.
Political analysts suggest that, despite being a freshman senator, Kim’s assignments to significant Senate committees and subcommittees offer him a strong foundation to expand his influence and contribute meaningfully to major legislative initiatives.
In a statement, Senator Kim emphasized the urgency of addressing critical issues, stating, “Housing and healthcare are immediate, everyday concerns, while national security remains a pressing matter. My focus will be on finding practical, results-driven solutions to make America safer and more prosperous, beyond political rhetoric.”
Having received substantial support from major unions in New Jersey, Kim also plans to advocate for labor and pension-related issues. His work in homeland security will include tackling immigration, border protection, and cybersecurity challenges.
By Brian Choi [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
