Hello Friends,

Last week, I had the privilege of honoring many of our men and women in uniform. The 15th anniversary of Extortion 17 serves as a reminder of the incredible bravery and sacrifice our servicemembers make every day. We also celebrated Purple Heart Day and are reminded to continue our prayers for the families of soldiers who lost their lives answering the call.

We also wished our District Office summer interns well as they continue in their academic and professional pursuits. Although we will miss them, their work here will leave a lasting impact...!

My office recently celebrated closing more than 6,560 cases! Helping constituents navigate and communicate with federal government agencies as they work to resolve issues is one of the many jobs Members of Congress use to directly help constituents. Another way the federal government impacts the constituency is through federal grants. It was meaningful last week to celebrate the $247,000 of grants that were awarded to our local law enforcement agencies.

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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Case Closed! Helping Constituents Navigate the Federal Government...!

Recently, we hit an important milestone…! Since I’ve been in Congress, more than 6,560 constituent cases have been closed, helping families, veterans, servicemembers, seniors, and small businesses navigate federal agencies and access the assistance they deserve.

If you need help navigating the federal government, please visit my website here or call my office at 757-364-7650. Our team is always ready to help!

Honoring the Members of Extortion 17

15 years ago last week, 38 American heroes and a military working dog from Extortion 17 were killed in action after their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. We remember their extraordinary courage and continue to pray for their families. Their service to our nation will never be forgotten.

Ensuring Federal Elections are Fair, Secure, and Trustworthy

Regardless of political party, every American should have confidence that their elections are conducted fairly, securely, and in accordance with the law. I was proud to support three bills that establish commonsense safeguards like requiring photo ID to vote and proof of citizenship to register, helping protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen Americans’ trust in the electoral process!

Read my press release 👉 here.

Federal Grant Wins for Local Law Enforcement

I was pleased to see last week that through the FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, more than $247,000 was awarded to law enforcement agencies across VA-02…! These men and women work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs. Thank you to our local law enforcement personnel for ALL you do…!

Wishing the Coast Guard a Happy 236th Birthday...!

Last week, I was delighted to wish the United States Coast Guard a very Happy 236th Birthday! Thank you to all the brave men and women who protect our coasts, save lives, and keep our waters secure. Semper Paratus!

Strengthening America's Defense Workforce to Ensure a Safer Nation

Peace Through Strength starts with the hardworking Americans who build, maintain, and support the strongest military in the world. The FY27 NDAA invests in our defense workforce, strengthens American production, and ensures we have the industrial capacity needed to keep our nation safe and secure…!

Improving and Strengthening Quality of Life For Our Military Families and Spouses

Our military spouses demonstrate extraordinary strength, resilience, and sacrifice every day. As a Navy spouse myself, I know firsthand that military service is truly a family commitment. I was pleased to applaud the President last week for establishing the Military Spouse Commission to identify solutions that will support our military families and improve their quality of life. Supporting our military spouses directly impacts military readiness, and I look forward to seeing the meaningful work this Commission will accomplish…!

Remembering the Fallen: Purple Heart Day 2026

Last week, we honored those who were wounded or killed in service to our great nation. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice...💜🇺🇸

Thank You to Our Summer 2026 District Office Interns...!

This summer, my District Office has been fortunate to welcome an outstanding group of interns who have been hard at work serving VA-02…! From assisting our office with constituent services and supporting staff at local events to helping ensure every constituent receives timely and responsive assistance, they've made a meaningful impact on our office and our community. Thank you all for your hard work, and we will miss you…!!

Calling Official Office Interns for Fall 2026...!

We are now accepting internship applications for Fall 2026 in our D.C. and District Offices! 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 5:00 PM EST at the Virginia Beach District Office.

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 supported Congress protecting American workers from AI-related job losses. Of the responses, 60% said YES, 20% said NO, and 20% were UNSURE.

As AI continues to transform industries and reshape our economy, many Americans are looking for policies that encourage innovation while protecting workers. Promoting broad access to the benefits of emerging technologies while expanding workforce training opportunities are important steps toward maintaining job stability for the American workforce and ensuring the United States remains a global leader in economic growth and innovation. Striking the right balance between technological advancement and workforce security will continue to be an important challenge in the years ahead.

As always, I remain committed to supporting policies that foster innovation, strengthen our workforce, and help ensure American workers remain competitive in an evolving economy.

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 Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald Everett Ballard of the United States Navy (Medal of Honor action date: May 16, 1968). 

Donald Ballard was born on December 5, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri. Before his enlistment, he married and became the father of two children. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 27, 1965, aiming to utilize the educational benefits for dental school. Following his service as a hospital corpsman in Memphis, Tennessee, Ballard deployed to Vietnam in December 1967 with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.  

On May 16, 1968, Ballard and his unit moved into the Quang Tri Province during combat operations. As Ballard was returning to his platoon after treating two soldiers, the company was ambushed by the North Vietnamese Army, resulting in numerous casualties. Despite the intense enemy fire, Ballard crossed the open terrain to reach a wounded Marine and provide medical aid. He then directed four Marines to carry the wounded soldier to a safer location. As the group prepared to move, a concealed enemy soldier emerged, threw a hand grenade near them, and opened fire. Without hesitation, Ballard warned his fellow servicemembers and threw himself onto the grenade to protect them from the blast. When the explosive never detonated, he immediately resumed treating wounded Marines, continuing his lifesaving efforts despite the ongoing danger. 

Ballard received the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on May 14, 1970, almost precisely two years after his extraordinary act of heroism during the Vietnam War. He continued his service to the country by transitioning into the United States Army in the Kansas Army National Guard. Following his military service, he remained dedicated to serving veterans and his community through both his professional and volunteer work. His lifelong dedication to helping others has strengthened his legacy as a Medal of Honor recipient whose impact extends far beyond the battlefield. 

Constituent Corner

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

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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