Hello Friends,

Last week, I joined my House Republican colleagues in voting to prevent a government shutdown by extending funding while Congress continues its work on the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. Although continuing resolutions are never ideal, ensuring servicemembers, federal workers, and Americans continue receiving the support they depend on remains my top priority.

I also supported commonsense legislation to support cancer awareness services and education, authorize the Department of Labor to discontinue payments to providers convicted of fraud, and increase transparency and accountability in Congress by prohibiting Members from purchasing individual stocks while in office.

The House also passed the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. This will strengthen national defense, improve military housing, increase pay for servicemembers, and expand support for military families. As a Navy veteran, Navy Wife, and Navy Mom, I know that policies that strengthen resources for our armed forces, veterans, and their families result in a safer America.

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

The House also voted on and passed multiple bills. You can read more about some of those below in my weekly floor recap.

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Supporting 'Peace Through Strength'

The House passed the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act last week, making historic investments to strengthen our military, support our servicemembers and military families, and reinforce America's national defense. The bill also improves military housing and increases pay for our men and women in uniform. I’m proud to have helped shape this legislation that advances 'Peace Through Strength'..!

Read my press release 👉 here.

Watch my remarks on the House Floor👇and my interview with 13NewsNow here.

Funding Our Nation's Government

Last week, I voted for legislation that will extend government funding at FY26 levels through December 4, 2026 to prevent a lapse in government funding while Congress continues to work through FY27 Appropriations. While a continuing resolution is never my preferred outcome, this measure is the first step to ensure partisanship doesn’t jeopardize paychecks for our servicemembers and federal workers, as well as the federal benefits vulnerable Americans rely on every day.

Read my press release 👉 here.

Cracking Down on Congressional Stock Trading and Restoring Accountability in Washington

Last week, I joined my House Republican colleagues to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act to prohibit lawmakers from purchasing individual stocks and require them to provide a week’s notice if they intend to sell individual stocks. This is commonsense policy that will increase transparency and end corruption here in Washington. Public service should never be a pathway to personal profit….!

Watch my video following the bill's passage 👇

Advancing Water Safety on Federal Beaches

Keeping our beaches safe at national parks shouldn't depend on whether the federal government can fill seasonal lifeguard positions. I'm proud the House Natural Resources Committee advanced my Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act to ensure local communities can partner with the Department of the Interior during lifeguard shortages and be reimbursed for the costs. This commonsense bill helps protect families while supporting the communities that welcome millions of visitors each year.

Read my press release 👉 here

Watch my video following the bill's markup 👇

Advocating for Safer and Cleaner Drinking Water for Eastern Virginia

I greatly appreciated the opportunity to welcome Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin to Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s SWIFT Research Center and see firsthand the innovative work helping secure Eastern Virginia’s water future. Thank you to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District team for the tour…!

It was meaningful to learn more about the innovative work currently underway to protect and replenish Eastern Virginia’s water supply. Projects like SWIFT are strengthening our infrastructure, safeguarding our natural resources, and helping ensure a reliable water future for Hampton Roads and generations to come. Thank you to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District for your commitment to clean drinking water for Virginia….!

Watch my video with EPA Administrator Zeldin 👇

Supporting Our Nation's Veterans

Our veterans deserve access to the very best care and facilities our country can provide. Last week's $1.2 billion investment to modernize VA infrastructure is welcome news for the men and women that served our nation in uniform. Thank you to the Department of Veterans Affairs for prioritizing our veterans and the care they’ve earned…!

Meeting with Local Disability Advocacy Groups

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with the ENDependence Center, Eggleston, and the Hope House Foundation to discuss healthcare policy and how it impacts individuals, families, and the providers who deliver these essential services. We had a thoughtful conversation about ensuring these programs remain strong, sustainable, and accessible while continuing to support those who depend on them. These conversations help inform my work in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work together on solutions that strengthen care for those who need it most…!

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.

*Reservations for October White House Tours are now open! Please call my office at (225) 202-4215 if you have any questions!

👉 To request a tour, click here.

Weekly Poll

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s poll! I asked if you thought we should be more concerned with foreign influence on our elections. Of the responses, 78% said YES, 18% said NO, and 4% were UNSURE.

The concern about the security and integrity of our elections is justified. We rely on our elections as the primary safeguard to preserving our democratic institutions. It is essential to maintain public confidence and ensure that elections are decided solely by the American people. Addressing foreign influence requires continued vigilance, strong cybersecurity measures, and cooperation across all levels of government to protect the electoral process.

I remain committed to supporting policies that strengthen election security, defend our country from foreign threats, and ensure the votes of American people are the voices that determine our nation's future.

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 Second Lieutenant Ernest Herbert Dervishian of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: May 23, 1944). 

Ernest H. Dervishian was born on August 10, 1916, in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Richmond, where he studied law and passed the Virginia Bar Examination in December 1937. He subsequently entered private practice with his brother before enlisting in the United States Army in 1941.  

On May 23, 1944, near Cisterna, Italy, Dervishian and four of his platoon members found themselves advanced far beyond the rest of their company despite heavy artillery and sniper fire. Reaching a railroad embankment, he ordered his men to cover him before assaulting a nearby dugout, where he forced ten German soldiers to surrender. Inspired by his bold action, his men followed his lead and captured another fifteen Germans. Shortly after, Dervishian and his men fired on nine fleeing Germans, wounding three before Dervishian rushed ahead alone and captured all nine. After gaining more reinforcements, he personally led an assault into a nearby vineyard despite intense machine-gun fire. When his group became pinned down by a machine-gun only fifteen yards away, Dervishian feigned death until the enemy paused its fire. Seizing the opportunity, he attacked the position with a hand grenade and his rifle, forcing the four-man machine-gun crew to surrender. As the Germans intensified their counterattack with grenades, Dervishian ordered his men to withdraw but remained behind. Seizing the captured machine gun, he turned it against another German machine-gun position while using a captured machine pistol in his other hand to suppress a nearby dugout. His relentless assault forced five Germans in the dugout and five more in the second machine-gun nest to surrender. Continuing the attack alone, Dervishian discovered another machine-gun position beside a house and compelled six additional German soldiers to surrender. After clearing the area of enemy resistance, Dervishian escorted over 40 prisoners to the rear. 

Following his participation in the liberation of Rome in June 1944, Dervishian received the Medal of Honor for his actions during an official ceremony near the front lines in northern Italy on January 12, 1945. Later that month he returned home to Richmond with a hero's welcome before resuming active duty service in February. After his discharge from the Army in November, he returned to practicing law while remaining committed to veterans' advocacy through serving with the American Legion. He later served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Richmond and continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 1968. In 1972, he was recognized by the Governor of Virginia as one of thirty-five Virginians honored for outstanding national achievement. Dervishian’s continued commitment to service both on the frontlines and to our veterans and citizens at home exemplifies selfless devotion to duty and unwavering dedication to his fellow Americans. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Judi from Chesapeake in resolving an issue with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework inquiry process. Thanks for reaching out, Judi...!

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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