Hello Friends,

Sunday marked the seventh anniversary of the tragic Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting. We pause to honor the twelve innocent lives lost, pray for their families and loved ones, and remember all those impacted by that terrible day. Our community will never forget the strength, resilience, and unity shown in the face of such senseless violence. #VBStrong

As Representative for Virginia’s Second Congressional District, I remain deeply grateful for the brave law enforcement officers, first responders, and public safety personnel who work every day to protect our communities. I will continue supporting efforts to ensure they have the resources they need to keep Virginia families safe.

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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

We Are #VBStrong

On Sunday, Team Kiggans attended the unveiling of the 5/31 Memorial at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. Thank you to city leadership, the victims’ families, and everyone whose dedication made this memorial possible. May it serve as a place of remembrance, reflection, and healing for our community for generations to come.

Empowering Future Leaders: Service Academy Information Night for VA-02 Students...!

Last week we hosted our annual Service Academy Information Night at Landstown High School! We are proud to support the next generation of leaders as they explore opportunities to serve our country through higher education and military service.

Thank you to all of the representatives from our nation’s finest military academies and collegiate programs who came and spoke to VA-02 students and their families!

We also held a moment of silence for Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, whose presence and leadership were dearly missed at this year's event.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success…!

FY27 National Defense Authorization Act Delivers for Hampton Roads

This year’s National Defense Authorization Act delivers real wins for Hampton Roads:

✅Supports a 7% pay raise for our servicemembers

✅Strengthens our shipbuilding and maritime industrial base

✅Invests in our defense workforce

✅Prioritizes the health, readiness, and retention of naval aviators

I look forward to joining my House Armed Services Committee colleagues in the bill’s markup this week and advancing commonsense policies that support our servicemembers and strengthen military readiness…! 

Senior Showcase Event Brings Valuable Resources to Virginia Beach Seniors

It was great to be in Virginia Beach last week for the annual Senior Showcase hosted by Mayor Bobby Dyer's Commission on Aging! This event brings together organizations that provide health services, social support, financial guidance, housing resources, and other programs that help improve quality of life for older adults. Thank you to Mayor Dyer and his committee for another informative and well-organized event!

Investing in America's Next Generation...!

Every child in VA-02 deserves the opportunity to build a strong future. Whether that means saving for college, buying a first home, or building long-term financial stability, Trump Accounts are about investing in the next generation. Any child under the age of 18 is eligible for a Trump Account, but children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028 will receive a $1,000 government contribution, with parents serving as custodians until age 18. With 6 million already enrolled, these accounts are helping ensure stability for America's future...!

Find more information about Trump Accounts 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 think recent U.S.-Iran peace talks will lead to an end to the conflict. Of those of you who responded, 16% said YES, 65% said NO, and 19% said UNSURE.

While many Americans remain skeptical about the possibility of lasting peace, it is important that we continue to support diplomatic efforts that prioritize stability, protect American interests, and prevent further escalation in the region. Our nation must remain committed to strength, accountability, and the pursuit of peace whenever possible in support of one crucial fact: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.

As always, I keep our servicemembers and their families in my prayers, and I remain committed to using my role as Representative to strengthen the support systems they rely on and improve their quality of life.

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 Captain Henry Talmage Elrod of the United States Marine Corps (Medal of Honor action date: December 8 - 23, 1941). 

Henry Elrod was born on September 27, 1905, in Rebbecca, Georgia. After attending the University of Georgia and Yale University, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1927 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in February 1931. He later completed flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, earning his aviator wings in February 1935, and served at Quantico and with a squadron in San Diego before transferring to Hawaii in January 1941. 

In early December 1941, he was sent to Wake Island, one of America’s most isolated Pacific outposts, just as Japanese forces moved in to seize it. Almost immediately, he was in the fight—flying against overwhelming enemy air attacks and managing to shoot down two Japanese aircraft during a bombing raid of twenty-two bombers. He pressed the attack at treetop level, strafing and bombing enemy ships, and even helped contribute to the sinking of a Japanese warship. When his aircraft was eventually disabled and the remaining American planes destroyed, he didn’t stop fighting. On the ground, he took command of a defensive sector, rallying Marines under heavy assault, directing fire, and keeping supply lines moving. In the chaos of the Japanese landing, he fought alongside his men, even grabbing an enemy weapon when needed to keep the line from breaking. On December 23, 1941, as Wake Island fell, he was mortally wounded while defending his position and is remembered for his relentless courage and leadership to the very end. 

For his extraordinary heroism during the defense of Wake Island, Captain Henry T. Elrod was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His widow formally accepted the decoration on his behalf in 1946. Elrod was later laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of his distinguished service and sacrifice to the nation. In honor of his legacy, the United States Navy commissioned the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55), bearing his name in tribute to his valor and leadership. Captain Elrod also holds the distinction of being the first Marine aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Soujanya from Chesapeake in resolving an issue with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework process. Thanks for reaching out, Soujanya...!

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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