Hello Friends, 

Last week, I returned home to Virginia’s Second District to meet with stakeholders, hear from our constituents, and spend time with loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday. Moments like these remind me how fortunate I am to serve our community and our country. As a Navy veteran, nurse practitioner, and Member of Congress, I am deeply thankful for the privilege of continuing to serve the greatest nation in the world. The values I learned in uniform—duty, humility, and service above self—guide me every day in Washington as I work to support our servicemembers, support our families, and deliver results for VA-02. I'm thankful for my family and for the trust you've placed in me to be your representative in Washington.

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Happy Thanksgiving...!!

On behalf of my family and Team Kiggans, I hope you and your loved ones had a Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gathered with friends and family, I’m grateful for our blessings and for the opportunity to serve the greatest country in the world!

Good news for families this year—the price for your Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and dinner rolls dropped! This was welcome relief for our families here in VA-02…!

I was also pleased to see that gas prices are hovering at the lowest levels since 2020…! With a focus on energy affordability, House Republicans are committed to lowering costs for hardworking families here in Hampton Roads and across VA-02!

Making CHAMPVA Easier to Navigate for Families

I recently sent a letter to Secretary Collins suggesting that the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) implement a provider directory. CHAMPVA is a crucial healthcare benefit program for caregivers and dependents of permanently and totally disabled veterans, but currently it is far too difficult to find a provider who takes these benefits. A provider directory would solve this problem!

Read the letter 👇 and here.

Holiday Support for Military Families & Civilians

Team Kiggans visited Naval Station Norfolk to distribute DeCA gift cards and Thanksgiving food items to military families and civilian employees! Coming together to support one another is what makes our community strong—especially during the holiday season….! 

Standing Up for Nursing Students’ Educational Access

Read my letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging her to include advanced nursing degrees under the definition of “professional degree” to ensure nursing students don’t have to worry about how they will afford to finish their education. 

Cutting Red Tape to Support American Energy and Jobs

In other recent news, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, a bipartisan bill that I co-sponsored, received a markup from the House Committee on Natural Resources...! This legislation delivers much-needed reforms to modernize our permitting process, ensuring that companies advancing new energy projects aren’t delayed by unnecessary red tape. These improvements will support responsible energy development and strengthen economic growth in our communities.

Energy security is national security!

Congressional Oversight on CCP Human Rights Violations

I’m honored to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Religious freedom is a fundamental right, and during our November 20th hearing we heard powerful testimony from individuals who have faced persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Our mission is clear: to monitor the rule of law in China and hold the CCP accountable for human rights abuses. 

Returning to Vanderbilt to Celebrate Nurse Leadership

As a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing alumni, I recently returned to speak with fellow alumni and to receive the Colleen Conway-Welch Award for National Nurse Leadership. As a nurse practitioner with a degree from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, I’m grateful to this institution for an education that has guided me not only in caring for members of our Greatest Generation, but now through the halls of Congress. Thank you for this distinct honor! 

Keeping VA-02 Strong with Effective Leadership

I’m honored to represent Virginia’s Second District, and I'm focused on delivering results. With more work to do, I remain committed to bipartisan solutions that keep VA-02 the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

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* (Unfortunately, White House tour slots have filled up for the month of December).
• 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 for participating in last week's poll! Last week, I asked, "Should advanced nursing degrees qualify for the same federal loans as other health fields?" With over 1,100 responses, an overwhelming majority of you, 90.4%, said YES, 3.2% said NO, and 6.3% were UNSURE.

As a nurse practitioner, I completely agree with the majority of you, and I'm incredibly disappointed that the Department of Education's Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee has chosen to exclude post-baccalaureate nursing programs. Excluding these programs from professional-degree classification would lower the federal borrowing limits available to individuals pursuing a nursing degree. This will increase out-of-pocket costs and create an inequitable financial structure compared to other clinical programs. Not only do these programs prepare students for clinical practice, they clearly meet the statutory and regulatory standards of a professional degree. Every day, our nation's advanced practice nurses are on the front line of healthcare, including more than 243,000 that treated Medicare patients in 2024.

We must ensure our country's nursing students are afforded the same benefits as other medical professions. This is an issue of public health!

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 Corporal David Bernard Champagne of the United States Marine Corps. (Medal of Honor Action Date: May 28, 1952) 

Corporal David Champagne was born in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, on November 13, 1932.

Cpl. Champagne led his fire team through intense enemy fire during the assault on a heavily fortified hill, overrunning trenches and bunker positions before securing the crest. Despite suffering a painful leg wound during a fierce counterattack, he refused evacuation and continued directing his men. When an enemy grenade landed among his team, he grabbed it and threw it back, the explosion severing his hand and throwing him from the trench. Exposed and gravely injured, he was then mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire, sacrificing his life to protect his platoon. Cpl. Champagne died in Korea on May 28, 1952. He is buried at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery in Waterville, Maine. 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader with Company A in action against enemy aggressor forces, David Bernard Champagne was awarded the Medal of Honor at Old Mountain Baseball Field in Wakefield, Rhode Island. The medal was presented by Brigadier General R. H. Ridgely Jr. to his brother, Reginald Champagne.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Phil from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue with the U.S. Department of State. After he reached out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework process. Thanks for reaching out, Phil...!

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!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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