Hello Friends,

It was a busy week in Virginia’s Second District as I welcomed Secretary Duffy and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz to Hampton Roads. Their visits provided important opportunities to showcase the work being done across our region to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, improve access to quality healthcare, and ensure Coastal Virginia continues to receive the federal support it needs.

I also had the opportunity to join Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle for his State of the Navy address and hear directly about the future of our fleet and the readiness of our force. As a Navy veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I remain committed to ensuring our Sailors and servicemembers have the resources, support, and capabilities they need to accomplish their mission.

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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Welcoming CMS Administrator Dr. Oz to Discuss Healthcare in VA-02...!

I was proud to welcome CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz to Virginia’s Second District for a roundtable with local healthcare providers and to hear directly about the challenges they are facing. As a nurse practitioner, I know how important it is for patients to have access to quality, affordable healthcare and for providers to have the resources they need to care for their communities. Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, Virginia will receive more than $189 million a year for the next five years to expand telehealth and virtual care, improve maternal care, strengthen our healthcare workforce, and better serve rural communities across the Commonwealth. Thank you to Administrator Oz and our local healthcare providers for joining us for this important conversation…!

Read my press release here

Watch Rep. Kiggans and Administrator Oz discuss Medicaid reform following the roundtable here.

Watch Rep. Kiggans and Administrator Oz highlight this monumental investment via the Rural Health Transformation Program here.

Healthcare has been a part of my life long before I came to Congress. As an adult/geriatric primary care nurse practitioner and a Mom of four, I know how important access to quality, affordable healthcare is to improving outcomes. From strengthening the workforce pipeline and improving TRICARE accessibility for military children to advocating for mental healthcare access for our providers and finding ways to cut costs for patients, I’ve worked every day to ensure our families have access to the resources they need to maintain good health!

Watch my press conference with Administrator Oz👇

Supporting Our Healthcare Heroes at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital with Dr. Oz

Before our healthcare roundtable, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and I toured Sentara Princess Anne Hospital to learn more about the care they provide and hear directly from the healthcare professionals serving Hampton Roads. As a nurse practitioner, I know how important it is to support our healthcare workforce and ensure patients have access to quality care. Thank you to Administrator Oz and the Sentara Princess Anne team for joining me and thank you for taking care of VA-02…! 

Strengthening Aviation Infrastructure in Coastal Virginia

I was proud to welcome Secretary Duffy to Norfolk International Airport to see the important work underway to improve and grow our region’s largest airport. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I know firsthand how critical safe, reliable aviation infrastructure is to protecting passengers, pilots, and personnel. That’s why I was proud to support the Working Families Tax Cut, which delivered $27 million for air traffic control improvements to improve aviation safety across the country. This investment will strengthen our economy and help ORF better serve Coastal Virginia for years to come. Thank you to Secretary Duffy and the ORF team for having us…!

Read my press release here!

Leadership and Readiness in Our Navy

I was honored to join Admiral Daryl Caudle, the 34th Chief of Naval Operations, for the State of the Navy address last week. As a veteran myself and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand how critical a strong and capable Navy is to our national security and to Hampton Roads. I appreciated the CNO sharing so many “good news” stories from the fleet and hearing how proud he is of our Sailors and Marines on the frontlines. I’m grateful to Admiral Caudle for his leadership and commitment to our men and women who serve…..! 🇺🇸⚓️

Navy Mission Ready: Meeting With Our West Coast Sailors at Naval Base Coronado

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of traveling to Naval Air Station North Island, California, to meet with the West Coast Sailors and Aviators who work every day to keep our Navy mission ready! As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a former Navy helicopter pilot, I’m always grateful for the opportunity to hear from other servicemembers how Congress can better support them and to compare notes on how we do things on the East Coast! Thank you to the Air Boss and to the men and women serving at Naval Base Coronado for meeting with me…!

Investing in Our Skilled Nursing Facilities

Quality and attentive care shouldn’t be hindered by staffing shortages and red tape at skilled nursing facilities, especially when our nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists are fully qualified to administer that care. Earlier this year, I proudly introduced the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act to eliminate outdated barriers on our SNF personnel and help their patients receive the quality care they deserve.

Read my press release here!

Supporting Disabled Veterans Through Advocacy For Contributions to Retirement Accounts

Our 20-year retirees and veterans with a 100% disability rating earned their benefits through years of service to our country. They shouldn’t lose the ability to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan they’ve spent years building. My FORWARD Act would fix that and ensure these veterans can continue investing in the retirement system that already works for them…!

Read my press release here!

Protecting Yourself Online: Resources For Personal Cybersecurity

Did you know that 3 out of 4 Americans have experienced some form of an online scam or cyberattack? As scammers and cybercriminals become more advanced, knowing how to protect yourself and your personal information is more important than ever.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center provides resources to help you recognize common scams, protect yourself online, and know what steps to take if you become a victim.

For more information, click 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 (202) 225-4215 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 supported expanding the usage of 529 education savings plans to workforce training. Of the responses, 84% said YES, 7% said NO, and 9% were UNSURE.

Advanced education and training are increasingly becoming more and more expensive. One of the ways Congress can help to offset the price tag of higher education is through tax-advantaged accounts, such as 529 plans. However, while 529 plans have traditionally been associated with college expenses, workforce training and skills-based education can provide valuable pathways to in-demand industries. Expanding these options helps students and workers gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.

That is why I supported the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which gives Americans greater flexibility to use their 529 savings for workforce training, professional certifications, licenses, and other eligible credentials. I remain committed to supporting policies that strengthen our workforce and give Americans more flexibility in their studies.

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 Robert Emmett O’Malley of the United States Marine Corps (Medal of Honor action date: August 18, 1965). 

Robert O’Malley was born on June 3, 1943, in Woodside, Queens County, New York. Growing up, he worked as a paperboy until graduating from high school in 1961, when he joined the Marine Corps that same fall. After completing boot camp, O’Malley was stationed at Camp Pendleton before deploying to Okinawa, where he rose to the rank of corporal. In 1965, he was deployed to Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. 

On August 18, 1965, O’Malley led his squad in an assault against a heavily fortified enemy position. Under intense enemy fire, he exposed himself to extreme danger by crossing an open rice paddy and attacking the enemy trench with his rifle and grenades, personally killing eight enemy soldiers. He then led his men to assist another Marine unit suffering heavy casualties. He was able to provide effective fire against enemy positions while personally assisting the evacuation of multiple wounded Marines. After regrouping his remaining squad, he returned to the heaviest fighting, and when he was ordered to evacuate, O’Malley led his badly wounded Marines to helicopters under enemy fire. Despite being wounded three times, he refused evacuation and remained behind to provide covering fire until all of his wounded men were safely evacuated. Only after ensuring his men were evacuated did O’Malley allow himself to leave the battlefield. 

After his heroic actions in Vietnam and while recovering from his injuries, O’Malley was promoted to sergeant. In April 1966, he left active duty and joined the Marine Corps Reserve before moving to Goldthwaite, Texas, with his wife, Barbara. On December 6, 1966, O’Malley was awarded the Medal of Honor by the president in Austin, Texas, during a ceremony attended by his family and seven Marines who had witnessed his bravery in Vietnam. His actions left a lasting mark, and he is remembered for his extraordinary bravery, leadership, and willingness to put the lives of his fellow Marines before his own. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Yilin from Virginia Beach 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, Yilin...!

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, D.C. in the coming months, please stop by to say hello!

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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