Hello Friends!

It’s been a busy and productive week delivering results for the people of Virginia’s Second District! I was proud to introduce the bipartisan TUTOR Act and to join my colleagues in recognizing 50 years of compassionate care by the Oncology Nursing Society.

I also continued advocating for our military community during the House Armed Services Committee’s mark-up of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act—a bill that includes critical investments in shipbuilding, workforce development, military housing, and healthcare services for our men and women in uniform. Additionally, my office sent out over 6,000 congratulatory letters to our high school graduates in VA-02, welcomed American K-9 Interdiction (AK9I) to the Hill, attended a fire station uncoupling ceremony in Suffolk, and shared amazing news for funding at NASA Wallops.

Finally, I’m continuing to push for long-term solutions at Assateague Island National Seashore, where federal hiring freezes left our beaches without lifeguards for many weeks. While I’m glad to see progress made, I remain committed to holding the National Park Service accountable so our coastal communities don’t bear the burden for essential public safety services on federal property.

As always, it's a pleasure 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!

2026 NDAA: Enhancing Readiness and Quality of Life

Late Tuesday night, the House Armed Services Committee completed its mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year’s NDAA delivers for our men and women in uniform and for the Hampton Roads region that supports them. From expanding shipbuilding capacity and protecting our defense supply chains to improving housing, healthcare, and support services for military families, I’m proud to have secured wins that reflect our region’s values and priorities.

Watch me talk about the NDAA process here and talk about the passage here.

The NDAA includes many of my amendments and base text provisions, including efforts to increase F-35C procurement and ensure transparency on future basing decisions, invest in workforce development for the maritime industrial base, and improve oversight of military housing conditions. The bill also advances my initiatives to increase TRICARE transparency for children’s hospitals, study the long-term effects of high-performance flying on pilots, and reduce risks from foreign-made technology in defense systems.

Read my full press release here

I also had the chance to speak with WTKR regarding the beneficial implications of the NDAA for our young recruits. Every year, thousands of young people are turned away from military service because of medical conditions they experienced as children but no longer have. This hurts our recruitment efforts and prevents capable individuals from answering the call to serve.

Watch the video 👇

As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and proud representative of one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, I will always fight to ensure our servicemembers have what they need to succeed—at home and abroad.

Funding Secured for NASA's Wallops Flight Facility

Last week, we had some exciting new developments on our beloved Eastern Shore...! NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been fully funded by the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026...! While I don't serve on the House Appropriations Committee, I sent a letter to the Chairman expressing my concern about these proposed budget cuts to Wallops Flight Facility and Langley Research Center. I expressed my concern that these cuts would jeopardize core national space capabilities, commercial partnerships, and critical workforce infrastructure in the Commonwealth and across the space enterprise. This is a great win for VA-02!

Addressing the Lifeguarding Shortage on Chincoteague

For weeks, I’ve been sounding the alarm about the lack of seasonal lifeguards at Assateague Island National Seashore—a critical public safety issue that should’ve never happened in the first place. I sent a letter to Secretary Burgum of the Department of the Interior demanding answers about how federal hiring freezes contributed to this unacceptable lapse in coverage. Since then, the Town of Chincoteague, Accomack County, and the National Park Service have come together to reach a short-term agreement. Thanks to ongoing pressure from my office and direct conversations with local leaders, lifeguard staff has returned to work.

While I am relieved that the Virginia side of Assateague Island will have lifeguards, I am working to ensure that the National Park Service reimburses both Accomack County and the town of Chincoteague for paying the $27,000 shortfall. I'm also working to ensure that this doesn't happen again next summer.

Read more about Wallops and Assateague Island in the Shore Daily News here.

Advocating for Our Students and Teachers

Last week, I introduced the Teachers Utilizing Tutoring Opportunities for Relief (TUTOR) Act, alongside Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-07), to provide financial relief to teachers who take on the responsibility to tutor their students outside the classroom.

This bill was inspired by my little sister who has been teaching math in a classroom for 25 years. She is a single mother to three children and has to tutor at night and on the weekends in order to provide for her family and pay the bills. The stories I have heard from her about what is expected from teachers in the classroom these days are unbelievable. We all want a great education for our children, yet we undervalue the amount of work it requires from our teachers to provide quality classroom learning.

This bill delivers financial support in the form of a tax credit that climbs as high as $1000 depending on the number of hours a teacher spends tutoring a student. Educators serve an essential role in the development of our children in Virginia’s Second District and across the nation. Teachers that go above and beyond to incorporate a more personal, focused approach to learning should be recognized for their sacrifice and acknowledged for their time.

Read my press release here

There is no such thing as a good school without good teachers. We must do more to support our nation’s educators and ensuring their after-hours tutoring instruction is tax-free is a good place to start!

Celebrating the Class of 2025: Thousands of Graduation Letters on the Way!

This week, our incredible team of summer interns rolled up their sleeves and got to work—printing, folding, sealing, and sending out over 6,000 congratulatory letters to high school graduates across Virginia’s Second District.

Graduating from high school is a major milestone, and I believe it’s important to take time to celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and potential of our next generation of leaders. Whether students are heading to college, entering the workforce, joining the military, or pursuing other paths, their futures are full of promise—and I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2025—your letters are in the mail, and I wish you all the best in this next exciting chapter!

Check our our video here

New State of the Art Facility for Fire Station 11 in Suffolk

On Friday, I had the privilege of joining Mayor Mike Duman, Fire Chief Michael Barakey, and the dedicated firefighters of Fire Station 11 in Suffolk to celebrate the grand opening of their new facility with an uncoupling ceremony. I’m incredibly grateful to have been invited to take part in this special moment honoring the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.

To every firefighter who proudly wears the uniform: thank you for your courage, commitment, and daily sacrifice. Your willingness to answer the call—day or night—does not go unnoticed, and I’m committed to ensuring our first responders have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively and safely.

This new station is more than just a building—it’s a lifesaving asset. As Chief Barakey shared, the new location will allow Suffolk firefighters to respond to emergencies within six minutes, significantly improving outcomes during critical moments. When we talk about emergency personnel, speed can be the difference between life and death, which is why it’s incredibly important that our first responders are equipped with the best resources our localities can offer. The station also features infrastructure that prioritizes the health and safety of firefighters, including designated rooms for gear washing and contaminant-free pathways to help reduce exposure to harmful toxins and carcinogens.



I know this state-of-the-art facility will serve the Suffolk community well for years to come...!

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Oncology Nursing

On Thursday, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and I introduced a resolution to recognize the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) for 50 years of compassionate care and effective treatment to patients with cancer across the country. In representing over 100,000 oncology nurses across the United States, the ONS has played an integral role in providing effective treatment and attentive care to patients with cancer since its founding in 1975.

Oncology nurses are involved in the care of a cancer patient from diagnosis through the end of treatment. They are the frontline providers administering chemotherapy and other anticancer treatments, managing patient therapies and side effects.

To ONS, and all of our nurses in VA-02, thank you for your commitment to providing care and comfort when it's needed most.

Read my full press release here

Hampton Roads Executive Airport Unveils Vision for Growth

Last week, Team Kiggans had the pleasure of attending an exciting open house at Hampton Roads Executive Airport, where local leaders, business owners, and aviation professionals came together to learn more about the airport’s plans for modernization and expansion.

From touring brand-new, state-of-the-art hangars to hearing about future infrastructure improvements, it was clear that Hampton Roads Executive is committed to elevating aviation operations, supporting our region’s economy, and ensuring long-term growth and connectivity for both private and commercial aviation.

I’m proud to see this local airport taking bold steps to improve service for based and visiting pilots, passengers, and businesses. I look forward to seeing how these exciting plans help drive economic opportunity across our region.

Welcomed Some Furry Friends to the Hill...!!🦮

As the Founder and Chair of the Congressional Working Dog Caucus, I was proud to welcome 

American K-9 Interdiction (AK9I)to Capitol Hill this week alongside my Co-Chair, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). AK9 Interdiction is a Virginia-based organization doing outstanding work to train highly skilled working dogs for law enforcement and military operations across the country.

These incredible animals aren’t just loyal companions—they’re critical assets for our national security mission. From detecting narcotics and explosives to assisting in search and rescue efforts, trained working dogs help protect law enforcement personnel and keep our communities safe.

Thank you again to AK9I for visiting the Hill and for all the work you do on behalf of Virginia and our nation. I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work to champion working dogs and their handlers in the months ahead.

Check out a few videos from such a fun day here and here

Schedule a D.C. Tour Through My Office..!

With summer in full-swing, now is 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.

👉 To request a tour click here

We’re proud to represent you—and even prouder to help you experience the history, beauty, and significance of Washington, D.C. firsthand!

Weekly Poll

Last week, I asked whether you support work requirements for able-bodied adults to qualify for Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The results were clear: over 75% of you said YES, and I agree.

As your representative, I believe that we must take care of the most vulnerable, but our welfare programs also need to be sustainable longterm. Work requirements for able-bodied individuals encourage personal responsibility, reduce dependency, and ensure that these programs remain sustainable for those who truly need them: children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

I’m committed to fighting for common-sense policies that support working families, reward hard work, and protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid. Thank you for continuing to make your voices heard—your input directly shapes the work I do in Congress every day.

And now, onto this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Captain Young displayed extraordinary heroism as a helicopter rescue crew commander during a high-risk night mission to save an Army reconnaissance team trapped on a steep slope and surrounded by enemy forces.

Despite knowing that two helicopters had already been lost to hostile fire in previous rescue attempts, and after being advised to abandon further efforts due to overwhelming automatic weapons fire, Capt. Young chose to press on. Demonstrating exceptional airmanship under fire and unwavering commitment to his fellow servicemembers, he hovered his aircraft in direct enemy fire to retrieve the remaining survivors.

As Capt. Young attempted to lift off, enemy forces engaged his helicopter at point-blank range, causing it to crash and erupt in flames. Despite suffering serious burns, he escaped through a window of the burning aircraft, helped a wounded teammate to safety, and then deliberately drew enemy attention away from the crash site to protect others. Even in extreme pain, he refused immediate rescue, knowing enemy forces had set up ambushes for incoming aircraft.

For over 17 hours, Capt. Young evaded capture, surviving under dire conditions until rescue forces could safely reach him.

His unmatched bravery, determination, and selfless concern for his fellow servicemembers are a testament to the finest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Cheryl from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue related to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After she reached out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework process. Thanks for reaching out, Cheryl...!

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 (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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