Friends,

This past week in Washington was a productive one...! I advocated for the small businesses that support our local economy, testified on my legislation in the House Natural Resources Committee to ensure our National Parks are more accessible to disabled veterans, highlighted how the crisis at our southern border is impacting states across the country, and restricted billions of dollars from the Iranian regime.

Increasing Disabled Americans' Access to National Parks

On Thursday, I advocated for my Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act - which increases disabled Americans' access to our National Parks - during our House Natural Resources Committee Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing.

National Parks can play an important role in the rehabilitation of those who have served in our military, helping heal both the visible and invisible wounds of war; unfortunately, lack of accessible trails, activities, and lodging often prevent disabled Americans – particularly veterans – from enjoying all our treasured parks have to offer. By directing the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Parks Service to each develop adaptive trails and campgrounds - as well as increase accessible hunting, fishing, and kayaking opportunities - my bill will make our great parks more accessible for all disabled Americans!

My MVP Act is a part of the bipartisan and bicameral Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which is our House Natural Resources Committee's large legislative package to improve outdoor experiences for all Americans. I'm hopeful that our Committee can pass this package soon so it can go to the floor for a vote! To learn more about the MVP Act, click here.

Cleaning up the Border Crisis

Our National Parks serve as great recreational opportunities for all Americans; unfortunately, the Biden Administration has been using Floyd Bennett Field (a National Park) in New York City to house illegal immigrants. Last week, the House passed H.R.5283, the Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act, to prevent our taxpayer-funded National Parks from becoming another victim of this Administration's failure to secure our border.

On Wednesday, I spoke on the House Floor in favor of this bill. You can watch my remarks by clicking on the video below:

The humanitarian and national security crisis at our border is out of control. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) recently reported that 240,988 migrants illegally entered the United States through our southern border last month...among them were 12 people on the terrorist watchlist. Failed border policies that refuse to enforce our nation's laws are making America more dangerous by the day.

That's why, in May, I voted for H.R. 2, the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, which passed the House with strong Republican support. Unfortunately, the Senate has refused to take up this bill, which is the strongest border security measure ever passed by the House of Representatives. Specifically, H.R. 2 would:



• Resume construction of the border wall using previously appropriated funds;
• Hire and train 22,000 new CBP field agents;
• Modernize and upgrade CBP technology, and;
• Provide increased support to local law enforcement through grant programs.

When I visited the border in February, our CBP agents explained how lack of personnel and funding, the absence of a border wall, and outdated technology significantly hamper their ability to do their jobs and keep us and our communities safe. Additionally, we were able to visit warehouses where sections of the border wall - as well as additional security measures like cameras and flood lights - are sitting idly in storage. These measures have already been paid for and are being stored using taxpayer dollars; that is unacceptable. H.R. 2 provides concrete solutions to all of these major problems.

Restricting Funding from the Iranian Regime

On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5691, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which re-freezes the $6 billion in assets that were released to Iran by the Biden Administration as a part of a hostage exchange deal.

Since the Biden Administration reached a deal with Iran in August to free five imprisoned Americans in exchange for several Iranian prisoners and the release of $6 billion of frozen Iranian funds, we've seen an explosion of terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies...including Hamas' horrific October 7th attack on Israel and the more than 65 attacks against our Armed Forces by Iranian proxies.

Iran is a nation that annually provides around $100 million to Palestinian terrorist groups; simply put, $6 billion for Iran is $6 billion for Hamas.

Our world grows more dangerous by the day. With two Norfolk-based carrier strike groups deployed to the Middle East, now is not the time for weakness or lack of direction. There is only one language that oppressive regimes speak: strength.

Helping our Small Businesses

On Thursday, I also appeared before the House Small Business Committee to testify on my Investing in VETS Act (it was a busy morning)!

By requiring at least five percent of federal government contracts to be awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) every year, the Investing in VETS Act will provide more opportunities for our former servicemembers whose businesses have been hit hard by record-breaking inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 27% of all veterans have a service-connected disability. Additionally, there are currently more than 780,000 veterans and more than 100,000 veteran-owned businesses across our Commonwealth.

Last week I also joined Congressman Rudy Yakym from Indiana - as well as more than 140 of our colleagues - to urge Speaker Mike Johnson to include pro-small business tax provisions in any end-of-year tax package passed by Congress. These companies are the backbone of our economy; I will continue to look for ways to help them combat the poor economic conditions affecting all Americans!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

...on Capitol Hill! Last week the annual gingerbread Capitol was built and is currently being displayed in our House office buildings. Last week we also officially lit the Capitol Christmas tree!

Our Nation's Capitol is so beautiful and historic, especially at Christmas time! If you or someone you know lives in Virginia's Second District and is visiting Washington, please contact my office at (202) 451-1405 and a member of my team will happily assist you with scheduling a Congressional tour.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, we honor Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Rufus G. Herring of the U.S. Navy (Medal of Honor action date: February 17th, 1945). 

Rufus G. Herring grew up in Roseboro, North Carolina, and attended Davidson College, graduating in the spring of 1942. Upon graduating college, Herring enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he would be commissioned as an ensign in December of the same year. 

In August 1943, Herring assumed command of the infantry landing craft USS LCI(L)-449 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, in March of the following year. He was deployed in the Pacific Theatre and participated in the invasions of Kwajelein, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam.  

On February 17, 1945, Herring and the crew of the LCI(G)-449 were apart of the initial assault of the island of Iwo Jima. During this assault, Herring and his crew came under heavy Japanese fire by the entrenched coastal defense guns. Herring himself directed the landing craft’s 40-mm and 20-mm weapons against the Japanese-held beaches until the vessel was struck by enemy fire. The damage sustained by the Japanese fire destroyed the 449’s guns, ignited the decks, and left the ship unnavigable. 

This damage also resulted in Herring being knocked unconscious, and left him injured on the deck. Upon coming to, Lieutenant Herring miraculously climbed down to the pilothouse, took the helm, and directed the ship valiantly until relief from other allied troops arrived. Even when he was no longer able to stand, he propped himself up and rallied his men to the aid of their wounded shipmates. 

Herring’s heroic actions and his perseverance through injury saved the lives of the sailors under his command and the vessel from destruction. 

Lieutenant Herring was formally awarded the Medal of Honor on September 17th, 1945 in Washington, D.C., by Secretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal. He was born on June 11th, 1921. He died at age 74 on January 31st, 1996, and is buried in Roseboro Cemetery, in Roseboro, NC.

Five Fast Facts About Virginia!



1. Virginia is one of the top wine producers in the United States. 
2. Virginia is the birthplace of the famous American Fox Hound.
3. Small businesses make up over 99% of the total businesses in Virginia.
4. Virginia Military Institute was founded in 1839 as the first state-supported military college in the country. 
5. On March 9, 1862 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) met in one of the most famous naval engagements in U.S. history. Their battle, the first of its kind between metal armored vessels, changed for all time the nature of naval warfare.

I'll be back in Washington this week to continue fighting for the people of the Second District. I can't believe it's already December...time flies!

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my DC Office at (202) 225-4215 or my Virginia Beach District Office at (757) 364-7650 with questions, concerns, or if you require assistance with a federal agency. And 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, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District