WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) joined members of Orange County’s federal and state delegations in urging Governor Gavin Newsom to take immediate action to preserve $10 million in federal funding offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon.
The VA offered $10 million through its Veterans Cemetery Grants Program after years of bipartisan work to move the project forward. However, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) has indicated it does not plan to draw down the funding before the end of the federal fiscal year, putting the federal commitment at risk.
“Since my State Assembly days, I have fought tirelessly to ensure Orange County veterans have a proper place to rest, right here at home, and I am proud of the progress we have made,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Now, after a decade of work to secure federal support, Governor Newsom’s administration is prepared to leave $10 million on the table. Our veterans are growing older each day and should not be asked to wait any longer. California needs to protect these funds, keep this project moving, and get it past the finish line. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Federal funding through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program is limited and appropriated annually, and there is no guarantee the $10 million currently available for Gypsum Canyon will remain available in a future fiscal year.
Rep. Kim has advocated for an Orange County Veterans Cemetery for nearly a decade, dating back to her time serving in the California State Assembly. Her work includes:
- Leading the Orange County delegation in urging the VA to support CalVet’s Gypsum Canyon application.
- Leading 18 California delegation members in a bipartisan push for federal support.
- Helping move Gypsum Canyon to the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program Priority II List. Following Rep. Kim’s push, Gypsum Canyon was placed on the VA’s federal priority list.
- Helping secure a $10 million federal funding commitment from the VA.
With the federal fiscal year ending in just five days, Governor Newsom’s administration must act immediately to protect this federal commitment and keep this promise to Orange County’s veterans.
Read letter HERE.
