Hello Friends,

This past week, I highlighted important legislation that will strengthen veterans' services and improve support for those who have served our nation. I was proud to honor extraordinary acts of courage by our servicemembers, especially servicemembers from the Commonwealth, and recognize those we lost in service to our nation last week. America's veterans and their families deserve effective and efficient support to target their most pressing needs. I remain committed to advocating for our servicemen and women, their families, and the caretakers that work hard every day for the benefit of our community.

From meeting with new, local community services to celebrating important milestones across VA-02, it was a week full of meaningful conversations and exciting progress for my team. Team Kiggans had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting of a new facility to care for our community's most vulnerable. We were excited to see the new ways that services and resources are being provided to individuals across Hampton Roads.

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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Honoring Our Commitment to America's Veterans

This past week I was proud to join my colleagues on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in introducing the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a comprehensive legislative package targeting relief for our veterans. This includes a provision that increases benefits for severely disabled veterans, veterans’ survivors, and Gold Star Families while expanding VA home loan access for eligible Guard and Reserve members. Our veterans and their families deserve our full support…!

Honoring the Impact of International Education

It was an honor to attend National NALCAP Day at the Spanish Embassy and celebrate the positive impact of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Spain! I enjoyed hearing from students and language assistants about their experiences abroad, including my son Josh, who spent this academic year in Dénia, Spain.

Thank you to Ambassador Ángeles Moreno Bau and everyone who helped make this event possible…!

Recognizing Virginia’s Latest Medal of Honor Recipient

The Medal of Honor represents the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. Last week, our nation recognized Virginia’s own Major Nicholas Dockery for the extraordinary actions he took to protect his fellow servicemembers in Afghanistan. His willingness to put others before himself under the most dangerous circumstances serves as a powerful reminder of the character and selflessness displayed by those who wear our nation’s uniform. Maj. Dockery, the Commonwealth is incredibly proud of your achievement and thank you for your service to our country.

Team Kiggans Out in the Community

As always, Team Kiggans was honored to attend the ribbon cutting celebration today for the new Macon & Joan Brock House at JCOC’s Betty B. Chidester Campus! This beautiful new space reflects the power of community support and will help expand vital housing and hunger relief services across Hampton Roads. My office is grateful to be part of this milestone in Virginia's Second Congressional District...!

Honoring the Airmen Lost at Edwards Air Force Base

Read my statement on the tragic crash at Edwards Air Force Base👇

Strengthening Family Caregiver Support Programs

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I know that family caregivers play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans. That is why the VA Caregiver Support Program provides education, resources, support, and services to caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care. I encourage veteran caregivers across Virginia's Second Congressional District to take advantage of this important resource and connect with their local Caregiver Support Team…!!

Read my press release here about boosting access to these vital programs.

Happy Birthday to our amazing boss, Congresswoman Kiggans!!🎉

Last week was Congresswoman Kiggans' birthday! There isn’t anybody better suited to represent VA-02 in the House of Representatives. From serving our nation in uniform to caring for our seniors and being an amazing Mom, she is a role model to all of us. 

Join Team Kiggans in wishing Jen a Happy Belated Birthday!!🥳

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 supported creating a Congressional Task Force to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. Of the responses, 77% said YES, 14% said NO, and 8% were UNSURE.

It is commonsense that government services are impacted by waste, fraud, and abuse, and it's our job as policymakers to ensure that those shortcomings are identified and remediated. Ensuring that government programs operate efficiently and responsibly is essential to keeping public trust and delivering results for Virginia's Second Congressional District. Efforts to recognize and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse can help strengthen government services while safeguarding valuable resources.

As always, I remain committed to promoting responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds and supporting policies that improve government effectiveness while serving the needs of this community.

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 Sergeant James E. Johnson of the United States Marine Corps (Medal of Honor action date: December 2, 1950). 

James Edmund Johnson was born on January 1, 1926, in Pocatello, Idaho. He came from a family with a proud tradition of military service, and his father served with the 11th Marines during World War. As a young man, Johnson attended public schools in Pocatello and played junior varsity basketball in high school before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on November 10, 1943. After his discharge following World War II, he briefly returned to civilian life, working as a machinist and attending Western Washington College, before re-enlisting in the Marines on January 13, 1948. 

On December 2, 1950, Sergeant James E. Johnson was serving as a Squad Leader in a Provisional Rifle Platoon attached to Company J, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during the brutal Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Yudam-ni, Korea. His platoon was composed largely of artillerymen and found itself vastly outnumbered and dangerously exposed when an enemy force disguised in the uniforms of friendly troops launched a sudden and ferocious attack. With his platoon leader absent, Johnson immediately took charge, moving among his men under heavy fire, shouting words of encouragement and skillfully directing their fire. When ordered to withdraw his platoon from the fight, he placed himself in a position of extreme danger to provide covering fire, fully understanding that doing so almost certainly meant death or capture. As his men withdrew to safety, he was last seen engaging the enemy in close combat. In those final moments, Sergeant Johnson knowingly placed the lives of his fellow Marines above his own, a decision that sadly ended with the loss of his life. 

On March 29, 1954, Sergeant James E. Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice. The award was presented to his widow by Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Unfortunately, his remains were never recovered from the battlefield, but he is memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Johnson departed for Korea just five days after the birth of his daughter, and his courage under fire at Chosin remains a lasting testament to devotion to duty, selfless leadership, and the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Crystal from Parksley in resolving an issue with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework inquiry process. Thanks for reaching out, Crystal...!

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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