Friends,

Welcome back to another weekly recap! It was a busy week in Washington last week...we voted on several important legislative priorities, including a resolution to fund the government through December 20, 2024. While funding the government through temporary measures is far from ideal, it was necessary.

Virginia’s Second District would be devastated by a shutdown. $4 out of every $10 in our regional economy stems from the federal government. On top of that, servicemembers who call Hampton Roads home would be forced to go without pay…that is not a vote I am willing to take. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House for the remainder of the year to fully - and responsibly - fund our government.

On top of the government funding package, the House voted on over 30 bills for a wide variety of topics... Throughout the week, we voted to reauthorize the National Alzheimer's Project Act, sanction leaders of the CCP, streamline federal forest management and more. I was proud to vote in favor of these bills - you can read more about them in the graphic below.

The House also voted on several priorities of mine! I am proud to say THREE of my bills passed last week...two of which passed unanimously! These bills will ensure the children of servicemembers maintain access to healthcare, our coastlines will be preserved, and our nation will able to grow its semiconductor manufacturing capacity. You can read more about each piece of legislation in the newsletter below.

I am back in Hampton Roads for the next several weeks and am looking forward to spending time with family, friends, and the constituents of Virginia's Second District...!

Ensuring Healthcare Access for Military Families

As a Navy spouse, mother of four, and a veteran who served for 10 years myself, I firmly believe servicemembers should be able to maintain healthcare coverage for their children when they are relocated. That is why I introduced the Care for Military Kids Act earlier this year, which was unanimously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week...!

Americans with disabilities often need long-term care services to help them with everyday activities, such as eating, walking, medical equipment management and more. TRICARE does not cover long-term services, leading military families with children in need of these services to apply for Medicaid. However, Medicaid is operated state by state...which puts individuals and their families at risk of losing services when they leave their state. This particularly impacts dependents of military servicemembers who frequently transfer locations as part of the family’s commitment to serving their country.

My legislation would amend the Social Security Act to allow dependents of active-duty servicemembers receiving long-term care services through a state-administered Medicaid plan to remain eligible for those services should their family be stationed in another state. I spoke on the House Floor about my legislation, and you can view my remarks below.

Our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much for our country, relocating frequently and spending months apart. I am thankful my colleagues agree and passed my bipartisan bill unanimously. I urge the Senate to act on this legislation quickly so we can ensure military children have access to the consistent healthcare coverage and medical care they need to lead healthy, happy lives. They should never have to forgo critical care because of their parents’ selfless decision to serve.

You can read more about the Care for Military Kids Act here.

Preserving Virginia's Coastlines

Virginia is home to over 7,000 miles of shoreline...a large majority of which fall within the Second District. These coastal areas play a crucial role in the Commonwealth's cultural identity and economic success. We owe it to ourselves and the generations after us to take care of the world we live in, which is why I originally introduced the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act. Responsible conservation policies are so important, so I am proud to announce that last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed this legislation unanimously!

The BEACH Act will protect Virginia's coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA). Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, CBRA bans most federal tax dollars from being used to develop or rebuild on storm prone, ecologically sensitive coastal areas. For 40 years, CBRA has not only protected millions of acres of beaches and wetlands, but also prevented billions of dollars in property damage from natural disasters and undoubtedly saved lives.

I had the opportunity to speak on the House Floor about the BEACH Act before its passage - you can view those remarks below!

In April of 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified nearly 100,000 new acres in Virginia to include in the Coastal Barrier Resources System. My legislation would allow for these new maps and related protections to go into effect, so we can make our coastal communities more resilient while maintaining fiscal responsibility and critical environmental protections.

I am glad we were able to pass this legislation unanimously...I urge the Senate to take up this legislation so that we can continue to be good stewards of our environment and taxpayer dollars. You can learn more about the bill here.

Holding the VA Accountable

Since coming to Congress, I have had so many veterans and providers come to me with complaints about patient safety, staff turnover, unsanitary exam rooms, and denials of care. To address these concerns, I led a hearing as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the leadership, management, and clinical failures at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

During the hearing, we heard from senior officials from the Hampton VA, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 6. I questioned these officials on the July 2024 OIG Report, VISN 6's management of the facility, provider shortages at Hampton VA, whistleblower protection, and what the facility is doing to address the recommendations made by OIG.

In total, my office has interviewed 25 whistleblowers who revealed a record of dangerously poor healthcare and absent leadership at the Hampton VA. As a nurse practitioner, the complaints I heard were appalling and unacceptable. I am hopeful that through new leadership and the recommendations made by OIG, the Hampton VA will fix the issues we have seen and rebuild the trust of our veterans Hampton Roads.

As the granddaughter of a veteran, daughter of a veteran, wife of a veteran, mother of future veterans, and having served 10 years in the Navy myself, it is an honor to advocate for our nation’s heroes in Congress. I am optimistic that if these new leaders fully implement OIG’s many recommendations, and if VISN 6 properly conducts oversight, Hampton VA can move in the right direction. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure they are provided with the quality care deserving of their service.

Bringing Microchip Manufacturing Back to the U.S.

Semiconductors go in everything from cell phones to innovative technologies that support American energy, powerful new AI tools, and key weapons systems that keep Americans safe at home and abroad. Despite this, the U.S. is home to only 10% of global semiconductor production.

Last year, I introduced the Building Chips in America Act in the House to help bring microchip manufacturing back to America, and last week, I voted in favor of S. 2228, the Senate version of my legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 257-125. This bipartisan bill will ensure our domestic semiconductor projects can move forward in a timely fashion while still undergoing all the necessary permitting and environmental reviews at the state and local level.

The Building Chips in America Act would provide the Secretary of Commerce greater tools to more efficiently carry out federal environmental reviews for projects currently under construction and others that could be delayed, and ensure they are able to move forward in a timely manner. I spoke on the House Floor about the importance of this legislation last week...you can watch my remarks below.

One of the greatest national security threats we face today is China’s chokehold on our defense industrial base. We cannot afford to let federal bureaucracy hold up critical chips projects while the Chinese Communist Party spends billions of dollars to become the world’s leading producer of advanced semiconductors. I urge President Biden to sign this legislation into law as soon as possible so that we can restore chip manufacturing on American soil.

You can learn more about this legislation here.

Welcoming JS Kashima to Norfolk!

It was an honor to welcome the Japanese Training Ship, JS Kashima, to Naval Station Norfolk last weekend...! JS Kashima was commissioned in February 1995 and is a training ship for new sailors and can accommodate up to 370 servicemembers.

The U.S.-Japan relationship is key to preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. It was the first time in many years that we've had a Japanese ship visit Norfolk, and their visit reinforces how important our alliance and friendship is for both of our nations. Welcome to Virginia!!

Discussing Alternative Therapies for PTSD

Last week, I joined my colleague, Congressman Derrick Van Order (WI-03), and other Members of Congress for a roundtable discussion on alternative therapies to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries for our veterans. As a nurse practitioner, I believe we should provide access to the care that veterans respond to best.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 29% of veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime. Our men and women in uniform risk their lives for our freedom, and when they return home, we need to do what we can to guarantee they are healthy and happy. There is much to learn about innovative new treatments to solve these problems and to provide better care for those who have served.

Weekly Poll

With over 1,100 votes last week, over 66% of you said that the House should pass a bill to avoid a government shutdown. I agree with you, which is why I chose to vote for the short-term temporary government funding bill. A shutdown also negatively impacts our military and border patrol – neither of which get paid during a shutdown while they risk their lives to protect our country. That's not to mention what shutdowns do to our economy - the 2019 partial government shutdown, which lasted 34 days, cost taxpayers $11 billion.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues for the remainder of the year to fully - and responsibly - fund our government.

And now on to this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) Daniel Daly United States Marine Corps (Medal of Honor Action Dates 14 August, 1900 and October 24, 1915).

Sergeant Major Daniel Daly was born on November 11, 1873 in Glen Cove, New York. He grew up in New York City and worked as a paperboy and general laborer. He also occasionally fought as a semi pro boxer. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 10, 1899, and was first assigned aboard the cruiser USS Newark. 

USS Newark was sent to China as part of the China Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. SgtMaj Daly’s unit took part in the Siege of the International Legations in Peking (modern day Beijing). On August 14, 1900, Daly, then a private, volunteered to hold a position while his captain went to retrieve a working party which was overdue. Daly instead single handedly held the position against an assault of several hundred Boxer rebels overnight. His single handed defense earned him his first Medal of Honor.

SgtMaj Daly spent the next 15 years stationed around the world, including the Philippines during the Philippine-American War, Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico. While stationed in Puerto Rico, Daly received commendations from the Secretary of the Navy and Commandant of the Marine Corps for his actions in leading a damage party in extinguishing a gasoline fire onboard a merchant ship. During the Battle of Veracruz in 1914, SgtMaj Daly’s platoon came under fire by a sniper and took cover in a ditch. Daly was able to crawl out of the ditch, enter the building where sniper fire was coming from, and killed all seven men of the garrison. 

He was then sent to Haiti as part of the U.S. Occupation of Haiti. During the Battle of Fort Dipitie, SgtMaj Daly’s unit was ambushed by a force of 400 insurgents while attempting to cross a river. A horse which was carrying a heavy machine gun was killed in the river, causing the machine gun and ammunition to sink to the riverbed. SgtMaj Daly swam into the river while under heavy fire, retrieved the machine gun and ammunition with a total weight of 200 pounds and carried them over a mile back to the Marine unit’s position. Daly’s commanding officer, fellow Medal of Honor recipient Smedley Butler, credited Daly’s actions as critical to the Marines’ subsequent victory at the Battle of Fort Riviere in November. SgtMaj Daly was awarded his second Medal of Honor for his heroism in retrieving the machine gun under heavy fire. 

He later deployed with the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe upon the United States’ entry into World War I. SgtMaj Daly fought in numerous actions, the most notable of which was the Battle of Belleau Wood. He personally charged a German machine gun position, taking it out with grenades and his pistol. He was credited with uttering “Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” in rallying his men to attack German positions. SgtMaj Daly was awarded both the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross and the French Medaille militaire for his actions in the Battle of Belleau Wood. 

SgtMaj Daly transitioned out of active duty and joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 1919 and officially retired on February 6, 1929. He returned to New York and lived quietly as a bank guard on Wall Street. He died on April 27, 1937 at the age of 63. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government, especially the IRS. My office was recently able to assist Brett from Virginia Beach obtain his tax return after he struggled to deal with the IRS. My office was able to assist him and get him his tax return quickly!

If you need assistance with your passport or with another 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, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming fall months, please stop by to say hello! If you are interested in a tour, please let us know!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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