Friends,

Last week, Congress passed another short term funding measure (continuing resolution). While I voted to avoid a harmful government shutdown, I'm growing increasingly frustrated with Washington's inability to find compromise...especially the Senate and White House's lack of action to secure our borders.

I came to Congress to enact substantial changes and reverse the course of wasteful government spending, which has caused the cost of living to skyrocket. We cannot continue to delay the fundamental policymaking decisions the American people are expecting us to make, like tackling inflation hurting working families and securing our southern border.

Stopgap government funding measures like the one passed last Friday are far from ideal, however the fact remains that our military, border patrol agents, and thousands of federal workers in Hampton Roads should not suffer because of Washington’s dysfunction.

Like many people in Southeast Virginia, I am losing patience with the games Congress plays. It is long past time for lawmakers to face the reality of a divided government and put in the work necessary to come to an agreement on a fiscally responsible plan to fully fund the government…a plan that makes commonsense spending cuts while protecting our military, veterans’ benefits, and critical programs like Medicare and Social Security.

Welcoming Home the U.S.S. Ford!

On Tuesday, we welcomed home the U.S.S. Ford aircraft carrier after her extended 8-month deployment!

I still remember the feeling of returning home after a long deployment, as well as the feelings that our military members and their families go through while they're apart for months at a time, especially this group, who had their deployment extended and spent the holidays overseas. The sailors assigned to the Ford and her strike group played a pivotal role in maintaining stability in the Middle East following Hamas' unprecedented and unprovoked October 7th attacks against Israel.

I know our sailors' family and friends are so happy to have you home after the Ford's first deployment that featured eight long months at sea! Enjoy your homecoming and thank you for defending freedom around the world! 

Sending A Strong Message: Secure Our Borders!

Since taking office in January of 2021, the Biden Administration has repeatedly taken actions to undermine our border security, including ending the successful Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to remain in Mexico until their case could be heard by an immigration judge. The results of this Administration's actions have led to a new record being set in December of 2023 with 302,000 migrant encounters at our southern border.

Last year, I was proud to vote for H.R. 2, the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, which would give our Customs and Border Protection Agents the resources they need to effectively deal with the humanitarian and national security crises at our southern border. While this legislation passed the House in May of 2023, the Senate and the White House have yet to take meaningful action to secure our border.

This week, the House voted to send a message to our Senate colleagues by passing H.Res. 957. This resolution denounces "the Biden administration’s open-borders policies," condemns "the national security and public safety crisis along the Southwest border," and urges "President Biden to end his administration’s open-borders policies.”

I was glad to see a number of my colleagues across the aisle join House Republicans on this important issue...border security is national security, which should not be a partisan issue...!

Increasing Disabled Vets' Access to National Parks

I'm pleased to report that my bipartisan Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee last week! Outdoor recreational activities can play an important role in the rehabilitation and recovery of our veterans. Unfortunately, our National Parks often lack adequate accessible trails, activities, and lodging for those with disabilities. 

By directing federal agencies to develop adaptive trails and campgrounds in the regions they manage – as well as accessible hunting, fishing, and kayaking opportunities - my legislation would ensure our disabled veterans and civilians can fully take advantage of all our beautiful parks have to offer.

The bill now waits to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor. I'm thankful for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have supported this legislation, and look forward to seeing it pass the House with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle!

To learn more about the MVP Act, click on the picture above.

Condemning Hamas for Weaponizing Sexual Violence

On October 7th, Hamas terrorists carried out brutal, unprovoked attacks against Israel...many of which targeted civilian women, children, and the elderly. Like many in Hampton Roads, I was truly shocked and horrified to learn of crimes of sexual violence committed by Hamas during these attacks and in their aftermath. Some of these harrowing reports have been given to Members of Congress by those who survived the carnage of October 7th.

As a former Naval officer, I’m appalled that these atrocities are being used as tools of war, and as a woman serving in Congress, I believe it is my duty to use my voice to condemn such sickening violence. That's why I joined several of my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to condemn this weaponization of sexual violence and stand with millions across the United States who share our disgust with these heinous crimes. Our legislation:

• Condemns all rape and forms of sexual violence as weapons of war, including those acts committed by Hamas terrorists on and since October 7th;
• Calls on all nations to criminalize rape and sexual assault, and hold accountable all perpetrators of sexual violence, including state and non-state armed groups;
• Calls on all international bodies to unequivocally condemn the barbaric murder, rape, sexual assault, and kidnapping by Hamas and other terrorists on and since October 7th, and hold accountable all perpetrators;
• Reaffirms the United States Government’s support for independent, impartial investigations of rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas on and since October 7th; and
• Reaffirms its commitment to supporting survivors of rape and sexual violence, including those brutalized on and since October 7.

I will continue to be a staunch supporter of all those whose lives have forever been changed by the atrocities of October 7th, as well as Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism. To learn more about our resolution, click here.

Visiting Some Old Friends in Richmond

On Monday, I stopped by the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond to visit my friends from my time in the State Senate and wish our Commonwealth's representatives well as they begin the 2024 legislative session!

It is so important to be aware of the laws presented and passed by our representatives in Richmond. The three years I spent in the State Senate were some of the best of my life and taught me many invaluable lessons about the lawmaking process and how to be an effective, bipartisan legislator - lessons that I use every day in Congress. Be sure to stay tuned to what's happening in the General Assembly and State Senate!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week we honor Medal of Honor Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman of the U.S. Air Force. (Medal of Honor Action date March 4th, 2002).

John Chapman was born on July 14th, 1965 in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Two years after graduating from high school in 1983, Chapman enlisted in the Air Force on September 27, 1985.. 

Early in his Air Force career, Chapman was stationed at Lowry AFB in Colorado, where he served as an information systems operator. In 1989, he was retrained as a combat control operator as a Special Tactics team member. By 2002, Sergeant Chapman, assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, was deployed to Afghanistan. 

On March 4, 2002, Chapman and members of the United States Navy SEALs took part in Operation Anaconda. A Boeing CH-47 Chinook came under enemy fire, causing Navy SEAL Neil C. Roberts to fall. The helicopter landed 4.5 miles away from where Roberts was killed. Once on the ground, Chapman provided directions to another helicopter to pick them up. He and the team volunteered to rescue Roberts from the enemy stronghold.

Upon returning to recover Roberts, the team came under fire from three directions. Sergeant Chapman charged forward, killing two enemy soldiers and advancing towards a defensive fighting position from minimal personal cover. During this engagement, Chapman was fatally wounded, but his actions resulted in the rest of the team being able to move to cover and break enemy contact. He is credited with saving the lives of the entire rescue team.

Despite severe, mortal wounds, he continued to fight relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. By his heroic actions and extraordinary valor, sacrificing his life for the lives of his teammates, Technical Sergeant Chapman upheld the highest traditions of military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. 

For his actions Master Sergeant Chapman was initially awarded the Air Force Cross. In August 2018, Chapman’s Air Force Cross was posthumously upgraded to the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump, which was received by his widow at the White House.

Five Fast Facts About Virginia!

1. The minor league hockey team from the 757, the Norfolk Admirals, had a historic 2011-2012 season! The Admirals set a professional hockey league record for the longest winning streak in history at 28 games. 
2. David Wright, the legendary baseball player for the New York Mets, attended Hickory High School in Chesapeake.
3. The Norfolk Tides won this year's Triple-A Championship! In one of their victories, the Tides set an astonishing franchise record for runs in a game with 21 runs!
4. Out of all 50 states in the Union, Virginia stands alone with eight U.S. presidents coming out of the Commonwealth. 
5. The popular country band Old Dominion is named after the nickname for Virginia! Three out of the four band members are from the Commonwealth!

Weekly Poll

As a part of my always ongoing effort to represent you to the best of my ability, I'll be featuring a poll question in my Weekly Debrief moving forward and include the results to the poll in the following week's newsletter. Be sure to let me know what you think!

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