Kim said that "I've always believed the Republican Party to be the Grand Opportunity Party," and flipped a House seat for GOP control in 2020. "Having someone like me who gives the woman's perspective and the small business perspective, as well as the immigrant perspective will make a big difference in legislating and creating policies to create jobs.The House GOP Steering Committee will be considering the selection on Monday. It could provide a key indicator of how much the party values diversity. As Republicans attempt to regain control of the House in November 2022, they are being pressured to increase the proportion of people of color and women in the party.Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, was hailed as "the year for the Republican women" by fellow Californian Kim. He holds four votes on the Financial Services committee, which will select the new member.McCarthy declared that "We are stronger due to our diversity" after last year’s election. McCarthy's spokesperson did not respond to a request to comment on the story.Republicans claim that part of their decision is due to the fact that Democrats control the House have reduced the size of Financial Services Committee by six seats at the beginning this Congress. This prevents the GOP from filling the panel with a wider range of members.After determining that the 60 members of the previous Congress were too many, Democrats restructured the Maxine Waters (D.Calif.) chair. Today, the panel is dominated by male Republican Republicans and has one female member and two Hispanic members."Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosis' decision earlier in the year to shrink the committee has forced us to choose between seniority or diversity," Stephen Cote, who was a former GOP staff Director for the Financial Services panel and is now a principal at lobbying firm Mehlman Castagnetti, said.Waters, who was appointed head of the Financial Services Committee by 2019 has created a diversity subcommittee. She has focused her agenda to expand economic opportunities for communities that are underserved.Because of his many years in Congress, Sessions is a major figure in the race. After leading the National Republican Congressional Committee, he was also the chair of the House Rules Committee. He lost his seat in Dallas-area in 2018. This year, he returned to Washington as the representative for Waco, Texas. Before the Steering Committee made its final decision, he declined to be interviewed.The race for the seat is also being contested by Dan Meuser (R.Pa.), and Ralph Norman (R.S.C.). Both Men are highlighting their business backgrounds. Norman worked for over 40 years as a realty developer, while Meuser was president of a manufacturing firm before he was appointed Pennsylvania's secretary. Meuser also argues that there should be more Northeastern representation on the committee.They will have to defeat the bids of the less senior members Kim and Donalds who were elected to Congress last November for the first time.Kim, an immigrant, was elected to the House in 2020 as one of the first Korean American women. She was an aide of now-retired Rep. Ed Royce, a senior member on the Financial Services Committee, before she joined Congress and served in the California State Assembly. She was also a financial analyst, and she owned a women’s wear company.Kim would double the female representation in the Financial Services Committee GOP, while serving as its only Asian American Republican and only Western state Republican.She stated that she had made it clear that representation from Western states was important. It is important because my district comprises three counties Orange, LA, and San Bernardino, and there are tens of thousands Asian American-and minority-owned small business, credit unions, and financial institutions. We don't have the voices or advocates that they need.Royce stated that his old committee would benefit from adding Kim to its ranks.He said, "She is an immigrant, she's a mother, hails from Western states, and has experience in financial services." That's what I call a grand slam.Donalds was a Florida native who worked in finance before he won a seat in the House. He also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. Although he is one of two Black Republicans in Congress, he stated that diversity is not part his appeal for the Financial Services Committee.He said, "I don’t get involved in that stuff." "I let other people worry." Because I have the qualifications, I believe I should be on. Someone with my experience in many areas should be considered.One argument for Donalds or Kim is that Donalds and Wall Street would get significant fundraising support on the committee, as Republicans try to keep their seats in 2022. The Republicans are becoming more optimistic about winning back the House majority next Year, which would allow the freshmen to continue serving.Sam Geduldig, a former Republican House Financial Services staffer and now co-CEO at lobbying firm CGCN, stated that if they do their jobs well, the committee will consist of all members within the next 18 months.Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the top Republican on Financial Services said that the GOP has "high quality and talented Republicans who will make a great addition for the committee."He said, "It's an embarrassment to riches."
