Friends,

The House of Representatives just wrapped up two district work weeks which meant I got to be home in Virginia's Second District! This past week was a busy one in Hampton Roads, from hosting a clean energy round table, to joining Virginia's First Lady in Virginia Beach, to welcoming Congressional staff here for "Meet the Fleet" week.

Read more about our busy week below..!

Talking All Things Energy in Virginia Beach

On Wednesday, I hosted a clean energy roundtable in Virginia Beach at Tidewater Community College. Leaders from across Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth, and beyond came together to discuss the importance of clean energy investments and how they are directly benefitting Virginia's Second District.

Virginia is uniquely positioned to be a leader in clean energy. With our extensive coastline, abundant natural resources, and growing economy, we have the resources and the ability to lead the way in clean energy development, but we also need to make sure we don’t sacrifice reliability or affordability in the process. I will continue using my voice to champion Governor Youngkin's balanced, all-of-the-above energy approach that unleashes American energy dominance while protecting important things like clean energy tax credits.

As a proud Virginian and a member of Congress who serves on the Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees, I know that energy security is national security. It was wonderful to have so many leading voices from our community and beyond come to the table to talk about such an important issue – securing America’s energy future. Thank you to everyone who joined us...!

Welcoming Virginia's First Lady to VA-02

On Thursday, we had a special guest come visit us in Virginia Beach... my friend, First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin! It was an honor to attend Suzanne's event honoring the women and girls of Hampton Roads. I appreciated our discussion ranging from women’s mental health, to taking care of our children, to employment opportunities and resources for women.

It's clear that our First Lady is hard at work to ensure women across Virginia have the knowledge and resources they need. Thanks to her for everything she does for our Commonwealth and our families!

Welcoming Meet The Fleet 2025

This past week, I had the opportunity to welcome a group of bipartisan Congressional staffers (and a few members of my own staff!) to Hampton Roads to learn more about our amazing United States Navy. This is an event that occurs once every Congress to give Congressional staffers from around the country a better understanding of everything our Navy is doing to keep America safe... and there's no better place to see that than in Hampton Roads.

With Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Oceana, and JEB Little Creek, our region is home to the largest concentration of naval power in the world.

Meet the Fleet is an amazing opportunity for these staffers, and I was very proud to highlight the vital role Hampton Roads plays in our national defense and the unwavering dedication of our men and women in uniform. Thanks to Fleet Forces for having me at the welcome event...!

Guest Lecturing at UVA

On Monday, I had the opportunity to guest lecture at a public policy class at University of Virginia's Batten School. I spent time sharing my experience and perspective as a legislator with this group of students from the "Public Policy Challenges of the 21st Century" class taught by Professor Craig Volden.

It was an honor to share insights on my work in Congress and to discuss today’s political landscape with such an impressive group of students. Thank you for the insightful discussion, and thank you to Professor Volden for having me in his class…!

Weekly Poll

With over 1,300 responses last week, nearly 60% of you said you support an all-of-the-above energy approach. I too support an all-of-the-above energy approach that unleashes America's energy dominance while protecting critical clean energy investments like clean energy tax credits. I was proud to stand up for an all-of-the-above energy approach this week at my clean energy roundtable, and I have been proud to stand up for that approach in front of Congress as well... click here to hear my recent testimony in front of the House Ways and Means Committee!

And now, onto this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Commander Howard Walter Gilmore, who was a WWII submariner who served in the southwest Pacific. He commanded the U.S.S. Growler during her fourth war patrol in the southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February 1943. Boldly striking at the enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and anti-submarine patrols, Comdr. Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following each attack. 

In the darkness of night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed range and prepared to ram the Growler. Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port side at 17 knots and bursting wide her plates. In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machine guns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck, "Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Brian from Suffolk in resolving an issue he was having regarding his retirement benefits. After he reached out to my office, we were able to get him the help he needed. Thanks for reaching out, Brian...!

If you need assistance with 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 (linked below) to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming months, please stop by to say hello!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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