Hello Friends,

Last week was an important and motivating week on the Hill and in the District. The legislation passed by the House last week will ensure that our most vulnerable constituents are protected, reduce fraud and abuse of government funds, and provide greater cybersecurity resources to our nation's energy providers. These measures will secure wins for the American people for years to come...!

We also celebrated the 250th birthday of our great nation! As Americans reflected on this historic milestone, I had the privilege of welcoming Vice President Vance and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to Naval Air Station Oceana to thank the servicemembers who defend the freedoms we celebrated. Their courage and sacrifice make anniversaries like this possible, and I remain committed to supporting the men and women in uniform who continue to keep our nation safe.

As always, it is the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Representative in Washington.

The House also voted on and passed multiple bills. You can read more about some of those below in my weekly floor recap.

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

250 Years of the Greatest Country in the World..!

Last week, we celebrated the 250th Birthday of the greatest nation in the history of the world...the United States of America! I’m proud to be an American and am forever grateful to those who have defended our freedoms so that we could live in the best country ever….! I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

As Americans across the country celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday, many looked to the skies to witness the incredible military flyovers honoring this historic milestone! What a great display of the power of American aviation and a reminder that freedom isn’t free. We’re forever grateful to the brave men and women who sacrifice so much in defense of our national security…!🇺🇸

Welcoming Vice President Vance and Secretary Collins to Meet Our Incredible Servicemembers

This past week, we welcomed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to Naval Air Station Oceana to say “thank you” and to kick off America’s 250th birthday celebration! It was a privilege to showcase the incredible servicemembers who call Virginia's Second District home and to recognize the vital role NAS Oceana plays in our national defense. Thank you to every man and woman in uniform for your service..! Happy birthday to the greatest country in the world…! 🇺🇸

Watch my remarks 👇 and the Vice President’s 👉 here.

Supporting VA Wins with Sec. Doug Collins

Thank you to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins for joining the Vice President and me for a rally for the troops last week….! Under Secretary Collins's leadership, we are modernizing the VA, eliminating outdated backlogs and barriers, and expanding access to care for the men and women that served our country! It is a privilege to prioritize this work everyday….! 🇺🇸

Supporting Military Aviation Healthcare

As a former Navy pilot, ensuring our aviators and their families receive the care and support they deserve is deeply personal to me. Last week, I spoke before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in support of my bipartisan WINGS Act, which would study the long-term neurological effects of military aviation and help us better understand the unique health challenges our aviators and former aviators face. We owe it to those who answer the call to serve to ensure they receive the healthcare they’ve earned.

Read my press release here and watch my opening remarks 👇

Chelsea Morea, a Gold Star Spouse of a former F/A-18 pilot from Virginia’s Second District, appeared before the Veterans’ Affairs Committee to provide testimony and raise awareness of this issue.

Watch Chelsea's opening remarks 👇

Wins for VA-02 Farms and Agriculture

Last week, I was very pleased to share that The White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture have simultaneously announced landmark provisions that give farmers more opportunities to earn additional income by using regenerative farming practices and selling crops into expanding biofuel markets. The Regenerative Feedstock Rule is a win for our farmers, rural communities, and American energy independence. Thank you to Secretary Rollins for empowering our farmers to seek market-driven opportunities and reduce unnecessary barriers for the men and women that feed our nation..!

Read my statement 👉 here.

Securing Educational Wins for VA-02...!

I’m proud that Team Kiggans could join the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the check presentation of over $840,000 for Northampton County Public Schools…! This critical investment will expand educational opportunities for students and teachers by modernizing technology to support virtual coursework, video conferencing, and telehealth capabilities. Thank you to State Director Beth Green and USDA for this investment in Virginia's Second Congressional District..!

Calling Official Office Interns for Fall 2026...!

We are now accepting internship applications for Fall 2026! If you’re passionate about public service and want hands-on experience serving the people of Virginia’s Second District, we encourage you to apply. Interns play an important role in helping our team serve constituents, support legislative work, and stay connected to our community. 

Apply 👉 here.

Apply For a U.S. Service Academy Nomination Through My Office

One of my greatest honors as your Representative is nominating qualified high school students from Virginia’s Second District to attend four of our nation’s five U.S. Service Academies:

• U.S. Military Academy (USMA) – West Point, NY
• U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – Annapolis, MD
• U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs, CO
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Kings Point, NY

(The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.)

Attending a Service Academy is both a tremendous honor and a solemn commitment, as graduates are required to serve at least five years in the U.S. military.

For more information, click here.

Applications are due by October 23, 2026, by 5:00pm EST at the Virginia Beach District Office.

Participate in the 2026 App Challenge...!

🚨 VA-02 Students 🚨 My office is now accepting applications for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge...! If you're a middle school or high school student in VA-02 interested in participating in this awesome tech opportunity, you have until October 26, 2026, to complete your submission!

Find more information 👉 here

Schedule a D.C. Tour Through My Office....!

It's a great time to come up to D.C. for a tour of our nation's historic capital! We can assist in scheduling tours of some of Washington’s most iconic landmarks, including:

• The U.S. Capitol
• The White House
• The Library of Congress
• The Supreme Court
• The FBI

Many of these tours fill up weeks in advance, so I encourage you to reach out early. My team is here to help you and your family enjoy a memorable, meaningful experience in D.C.

👉 To request a tour click here.

Weekly Poll

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s poll! I asked if you agreed with the Court's ruling that states can accept mail in ballots after polls close. Of the responses, 34% said YES, 62% said NO, and 5% were UNSURE.

I know that many of you are concerned with how federal elections are administered and the importance of maintaining confidence in the electoral process. Election law plays an important role in this process. The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that states can accept mail in ballots after polls close in its landmark decision last week. It is important that policies promote transparency and confidence while upholding the integrity of our elections.

As we consider this decision, we must recognize both the benefit of ensuring access to the ballot and public trust in election outcomes. As always, I remain committed to supporting secure, fair, and transparent elections that strengthen public trust.

And now, onto this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor Medal of Honor Recipient Second Lieutenant Kareem (Nicholas) Dockery of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: October 2, 2012). 

Nicholas Dockery was born on October 3, 1981, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from St. John’s Military School and enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard, where he completed infantry and airborne training. Later, he transferred to the New Mexico Army National Guard while participating in Army ROTC at the New Mexico Military Institute. His perseverance was rewarded when he was accepted to West Point, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree and commissioning as an officer. Following the completion of his officer and specialty training, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

On October 2, 2012, Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery’s platoon and partnered Afghan forces came under attack by an estimated 150 Taliban fighters in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. Dockery led a counterassault, advancing more than 100 yards across an unshielded area under enemy fire to reinforce U.S. forces. Upon learning that a soldier had been wounded, he battled to a building occupied by enemy fighters, organized the assault, and led the clearing of six rooms, killing one enemy and detaining two others. When a grenade landed in the vicinity of the soldiers, he pushed a fellow soldier to safety, shielding him from the blast. Moments later, despite his own injuries, when an enemy rocket-propelled grenade wounded Lieutenant Dockery and incapacitated two soldiers, he immediately rushed to their aid, helped one soldier to safety, eliminated two enemy fighters, administered first aid, and shielded the wounded soldier with his own body, saving the soldier’s life. With air support unable to distinguish friendly from enemy positions, Lieutenant Dockery repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to mark friendly locations and provide covering fire as the wounded were evacuated. He remained in the fight until every other soldier had safely withdrawn, becoming the last person to leave the battlefield. 

Dockery retired from active duty in May 2026 and founded the Nicholas Dockery Foundation in 2025. The foundation provides financial support to local art and equine therapy programs that help individuals facing mental and emotional health challenges. On June 18, 2026, Dockery was presented with the Medal of Honor at the White House in recognition of his extraordinary heroism in combat. His legacy of service extends beyond the battlefield through his lifelong commitment to serving others, inspiring resilience, and improving the lives of veterans and their families. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Robert from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework inquiry process. Thanks for reaching out, Robert...!

If you need assistance with a federal agency, my team is here to help. Contact my District Office at (757) 364-7650 or visit my website and my team will be in touch!

Don't forget—if you’d like to stay up to date with what I’m working on, check out my website and follow my Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming months, please stop by to say hello!

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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