Friends,

Last week was an important week for our own national security and the security of our friends abroad. On Saturday, the House voted on legislation to provide security aid to Israel, Ukraine, and our allies and military in the Pacific, as well as a strong border security bill. I voted in favor of all of four bills. The three aid bills passed but unfortunately the border security bill did not.

The military aid legislation will now head to the U.S. Senate before being signed into law. This critical funding will equip our friends with the resources needed to counter our common enemies.

After a busy week in D.C., I am happy to be back in the district this week and am looking forward to spending time with family, friends, and the residents of Hampton Roads before heading back to Washington next week...!

Where We Stand on Supporting Our Allies

Over the weekend, I voted in favor of sending critical military aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan as well as further support for U.S. forces stationed abroad. These bills are not perfect, but we cannot continue to let our allies suffer at the hands of our common enemies.

If we don’t get this done, our men and women in uniform will be put at risk – including the servicemembers in Virginia's Second District. Iran and its proxies will not stop with Israel. Putin will not stop with Ukraine. China will not stop with Taiwan. Every military family knows if we allow our adversaries to go unchecked, it will eventually mean U.S. boots on the ground. Click below to hear me explain the importance of this critical aid.

America is the greatest nation in the world. We can and should put Americans' needs first while also supporting our allies… I firmly believe Congress can prioritize and tackle multiple issues simultaneously. As our Republican majority continues to focus on securing our border and lowering the cost of living for working families, we must restore American strength abroad.

Supporting Family Caregivers

Family caregivers sacrifice so much to take care of their loved ones...It was a privilege to join AARP for their "Support Family Caregivers" event on Capitol Hill last week to honor all family caregivers do and highlight the work our bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus is doing to support them!

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I had the privilege of caring for our greatest generation as they aged. I know firsthand how essential caregivers are when it comes to ensuring our older Americans can age gracefully and have fulfilling, independent lives.

I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for the family caregivers in Southeast Virginia and throughout the country who play a vital role in the lives of millions of Americans!

Servicewomen and Women's Veterans Roundtable

I recently joined my colleagues and fellow veterans Congresswomen Chrissy Houlahan and Mikie Sherrill for a Congressional Servicewomen and Women Veterans Caucus roundtable. We were joined by several advocacy groups, including The Wounded Warrior Project and Blue Star Families, to discuss ways Congress can continue to support our servicewomen in the military and female veterans as they transition to civilian life.

Our women in uniform put their lives on the line for our country, and it is crucial that we recognize them for their service and sacrifice. I am proud to be a champion for our servicewomen and female veterans and will continue to advocate for improved childcare options, better housing, and greater access to healthcare.

Advocating for Hampton Roads' Jewish Community

At the beginning of last week, I joined members of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in Virginia Beach to debrief my recent trip to Israel and the work I am doing in Congress to support Israel- our closest ally in the Middle East.

While in Israel, we visited the Nir Oz Kibbutz miles outside of Gaza and also visited the site of the Nova Music Festival where hundreds of young people were murdered and kidnapped. We heard from government officials, military leaders, and the parents of an American-Israeli hostage who has been held captive by Hamas since October 7th.

Everything I saw and everything I learned verified the brutality of Hamas’ unprovoked attacks and reinforced the need to support our long-time ally. The message we all walked away with was the same: Hamas must be eliminated. In Congress, I will continue to stand by our ally as they fight to defeat Hamas…I will not allow our enemies to become further emboldened.

Thank you to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for letting me share my experience with you...!

Improving Fishermens' Safety

The fishing industry is such an important part of our regional economy and our way of life in southeast Virginia. Unfortunately, fishermen often encounter occupational hazards that lead to mental health challenges and substance use disorders.

That’s why I joined Congressman Golden from Maine in introducing the FISH Wellness Act, which would authorize additional funds for research and training programs to better address the wide range of occupational safety and health risks facing fishermen. I’m proud to advocate for our local fishermen and will continue to do everything I can to ensure they have the resources they need to stay safe and healthy on the job!

Visitors in Our Nation's Capital!

Regardless of how chaotic a week can be in Washington, it is always incredible when Virginians come to their Capitol to advocate on issues that are important to them! I especially enjoy taking these meetings as it helps to guide my mission in Congress.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my office. It was an honor to host Peter Beck from Rocket Lab, and constituents from the National Beer Wholesalers Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, National Restaurant Association, and more.

Weekly Poll

With over 900 votes last week, over 70% of you said Congress should vote to provide aid to our closest ally Israel. I completely agree which is why I voted for all three aid bills this past weekend. If we don't act to support our friends in their time of need, soon we will have no friends left.

And now on to this week's poll question! Please click one of the buttons below to share your opinion.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, PO2 Michael A. Monsoor of the United States Navy (Medal of Honor action date - September 29, 2006)

Michael Monsoor was born on April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, California as the third of four children born to his parents, Sally and George. His father was a former U.S. Marine instilling the values of service and patriotism were instilled in him from an early age which contributed to the brave character he would later display in combat. 

Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 19 and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Master At Arms "A" School. Monsoor then received his assignment as Master-at-Arms at the Security Detachment in Sigonella, Sicily from January 2002 to January 2004. Upon the completion of this assignment, PO2 Monsoor volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. 

Monsoor graduated from BUD/S class 250 on September 2, 2004 as one of the top performers in his class. After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, California, graduating in March 2005. Monsoor received the Navy Enlisted Classification 5326 as a SEAL, entitled to wear the Special Warfare Insignia. The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3.

In April of 2006, PO2 Monsoor and the rest of SEAL Team Three were sent to train Iraqi Army soldiers in Ramadi, Iraq. During this assignment Monsoor served as a communicator and machine-gunner on patrols. He took a lead position to protect the platoon from frontal assault during his time in Ramadi, and the team was frequently involved in battles with insurgent fighters. Although Monsoor and his team had gained a lot of combat experience in a short amount of time, nothing could have prepared the men for what they encountered on September 29, 2006. On this day, Seal Team Three was tasked with providing early warning protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. 

In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by establishing a military perimeter around Seal Team Three’s position. Navy snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for more enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, throwing himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. 

Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country and for this selfless act of courage, Michael Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor to both of his parents on April 8, 2008 by President George W. Bush at the White House. Michael Monsoor was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. On June 26, 2019, the United States Navy commissioned the USS Michael Monsoor, a Zumwalt class guided missile destroyer. 

Fun Fact of the Week!

Have you ever wondered how offices are chosen for Members of Congress? Before 1908 Members of Congress had to rent out their own offices in Washington. Today, after the new Congress is sworn in, Members get the chance to move into a new office. Getting this new office is decided by a lottery system where numbered buttons are drawn from a large wooden box.

When I first came to Congress last January, I picked number 72 out of 74 total offices! Regardless of that pick, I’m honored to serve VA02 in Congress…!

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