Friends,

We wrapped up a very productive week here in the House of Representatives! I met with the new Secretary of the Navy, introduced two new bills, worked with my colleagues on the House Natural Resources Committee to mark up important legislation, spoke at an event about my energy priorities, and welcomed groups to the Capitol from VA-02 and beyond.

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!

Meeting with SECNAV John Phelan

On Tuesday morning, I had the privilege of meeting with our new Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, Navy wife, and Navy Mom whose district is home to the East Coast Master Jet Base, I will always be a loud and proud advocate for our sea service.

Secretary Phelan and I had a great discussion about modernizing our Navy’s infrastructure, accelerating shipbuilding, and enhancing quality of life for our sailors – because America’s strength at sea begins with how we care for those who serve. From better housing and healthcare to expanded career and educational opportunities, our sailors deserve the resources and support they need to accomplish the mission.

Our national security depends on a fleet that is not only capable but also delivers on time and on budget. I will continue pushing for policies that streamline acquisition processes and strengthen our maritime industrial base. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Phelan to ensure our Navy remains a ready, lethal maritime force! Go Navy!!

Fighting to Secure America's Energy Future

On Friday, I introduced a brand new bill, the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act, to strengthen America’s energy independence and national security. Specifically, this legislation would responsibly reform clean energy tax credits by phasing out subsidies for advanced renewable technologies, while bolstering national security by imposing restrictions on foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.

The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act is a critical step toward aligning our clean energy priorities with today’s economic and national security realities. By responsibly phasing out subsidies for technologies like wind and solar and ensuring foreign adversaries like China and Russia can’t exploit American tax benefits, we are safeguarding both our energy independence and our taxpayers. 

I was proud to introduce this new legislation alongside Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), David Valadao (CA-22), Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04). Read more about this bill here!

Sending off our Spring Congressional Interns

This past week sadly brought our spring internship program to a close! Each season, young individuals apply to intern in our Washington, DC office to get hands-on experience working in Congress. We were lucky to have such an outstanding group of college students come work with us this spring, and our office looks forward to welcoming our new summer interns in just a few weeks time...!

From helping answer our phones, to giving constituents Capitol tours and helping our staff with a multitude of projects, our interns are a critical puzzle piece for our team and help us better serve the people of Virginia's Second District.

Thank you to our three spring interns, Kalea, Allen, and Maria, for all their hard work! To learn more about our internship program and apply yourself, please click this link.

Talking All Things Energy with CRES

This past week, I joined Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) for their Energy Leadership Summit! At this event, multiple members of Congress came to speak about their energy priorities, and it was wonderful to have so many leading voices come to the table to talk about something so important – securing America’s energy future!

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. That’s why I believe we must take a balanced, 'all-of-the-above' energy approach that will both restore our energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign nations, and lower energy costs.

An all-of-the-above approach allows us to protect energy reliability and affordability, ensuring that we are not putting our economy or our energy security at risk. The bottom line is that in order to increase American energy dominance and bolster our domestic energy security, we need to protect as much production and innovation as possible! Thank you to CRES for having me...!

Introducing Legislation to Strengthen our Civilian Defense Workforce

On Wednesday of this past week, I introduced the Defense Workforce Integration Act - a bipartisan bill to create new civilian service pathways for individuals who are unable to serve in the military due to medical disqualifications.

Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans are turned away from military service – not because they aren’t willing to serve, but because of medical disqualifications that may have no bearing on their ability to contribute. This bill would create new opportunities for these individuals to continue serving their country in civilian roles that are vital to strengthening our national security.

In Hampton Roads and across the country, civilian defense employees bring invaluable experience, innovation, and continuity to our defense operations. From shipbuilders and engineers to cybersecurity experts and logistics professionals, these dedicated men and women play a critical role in supporting our military and ensuring our armed forces are ready to meet any challenge.

This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our workforce, preserves talent, and reinforces our commitment to the defense industrial base at a time when global threats are growing by the day. Thank you to my colleagues in the House and Senate for joining me in this effort!

Read more about this bill here...!

Weekly Poll

With over 1,400 responses last week, nearly 60% of you said you do not believe the VA is providing adequate care and services to our veterans. As a Navy veteran and nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for our veterans to receive the timely, high-quality care they’ve earned through their service. Unfortunately, too many veterans continue to face unacceptable delays, bureaucratic red tape, and inconsistent care from the VA. That must change.

Reforming the VA is not just a policy priority—it’s a moral obligation. We must modernize the VA to make it more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of today’s veterans. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and chairwoman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I am a loud advocate for better care for our veterans and will continue to do what I can in Congress to hold the VA accountable.

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, Technical Sergeant Frank D. Peregory, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. T/Sgt. Peregory was born in 1915 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

On 8 June 1944, the 3d Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcampe, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machine-gun fire from a firmly entrenched enemy force on the high ground overlooking the town. After numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective, T/Sgt. Peregory, on his own initiative, advanced up the hill under withering fire and worked his way to the crest, where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main fortifications 200 yards away.

Without hesitating, he leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement. Encountering a squad of enemy riflemen, he fearlessly attacked them with hand grenades and bayonet, killed eight, and forced three to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he singlehandedly forced the surrender of 32 more riflemen, captured the machine gunners, and opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion to advance and secure its objective. The extraordinary gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by T/Sgt. Peregory are exemplary of the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Traci from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue her son was having with a delayed passport. After she reached out to my office, we were able to get her the help she needed. We are always here to help everyone in Virginia's Sceond District, especially our veterans. Thanks for reaching out, Traci...!

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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