Hello Friends,

It was a successful week in Virginia's Second District as I had the privilege of speaking at the Hampton Roads Surface Navy Association's meeting about the importance of a strong, capable Navy. I will continue working to ensure our servicemembers and the communities that support them have the resources they need to continue their mission.

I also had the opportunity to visit Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital to meet with their team and learn more about the important care they provide to families across Western Tidewater. Access to quality healthcare is essential to the strength of our communities. With so much attention surrounding availability and affordability of healthcare, this issue is extremely personal to me. I want to ensure accurate and applicable information is being communicated about the healthcare facilities in VA-02 and visits like this one are critical to the advocacy I continue to do on this issue as a nurse practitioner and one of two nurses currently serving in Congress.

Finally, I was proud to highlight two pieces of legislation that would give Americans greater flexibility to use their 529 savings for workforce training and expand TRICARE coverage for military families.

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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Standing with Our Surface Navy Community Partners

Last week, I joined the Hampton Roads Surface Navy Association to spend time with the men and women who support our fleet…! As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand how important a strong, capable Navy is to our national security. I’m grateful to the Hampton Roads Surface Navy Association for bringing together our military, industry, and academic communities to strengthen our maritime forces, support our Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and preserve the proud heritage of our Surface Warfare community. I’ll always work to ensure those who serve at sea have the resources and support they need to accomplish their mission and keep America safe…!

Listening to Virginia’s Growers: The People Behind Virginia Agriculture

I enjoyed visiting the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center to meet with local growers and hear directly about the issues impacting our agricultural community. Agriculture is a critical part of Virginia’s economy, and I’m grateful for the hardworking farmers, growers, and researchers who help keep it strong. Thank you to the Virginia Cotton Growers Association, Virginia Farm Bureau, and Tidewater AREC for having me…!

Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce

529 savings shouldn’t be limited to a traditional four-year degree. I was proud to co-sponsor the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to give Americans greater flexibility to use their 529 savings for workforce training, professional certifications, licenses, and other eligible credentials. House Republicans are helping every American build the skills they need to succeed…!

Supporting Quality Healthcare in Western Tidewater

Last week, I visited Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital and met with their team to learn more about the important work they’re doing to provide quality, accessible healthcare to families across Western Tidewater. As a nurse practitioner, I know firsthand how critical our healthcare professionals are to keeping our communities healthy and strong. Southampton Memorial has received some attention recently, and I wanted to provide an update: Bon Secours has committed to maintaining high quality, compassionate care appropriate for this community and remains committed to serving the residents of Western Tidewater (Franklin). Thank you to the team at Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital for welcoming me and for all you do each day to care for our community!

Read my press release here.

The Technology Behind Our Mission: Innovating for Our Warfighters

Last week, I visited Booz Allen Hamilton’s Norfolk facility to see firsthand how their team is developing innovative technologies to support our warfighters and strengthen our national security. Hampton Roads is home to an incredible defense workforce, and I’m grateful for the men and women working every day to ensure our servicemembers have the tools and capabilities they need to accomplish their mission. Thank you to Booz Allen Hamilton and Steve Escaravage for having me…! 🇺🇸

Protecting Military Families’ Healthcare so Kids Can Stay Covered

Military families on TRICARE deserve the same insurance coverage that civilian insurances offer. Military kids should have the option for coverage up to age 26… just like other civilian insurance plans. Last year, I introduced bipartisan legislation to fix this so military families do not have to pay thousands of dollars a year to keep their young adult children insured..!

Read my press release here.

Honoring Those Who Served: Lt. Cmdr. Stegina

This past weekend, I had the honor of presenting an American flag that was flown over our nation’s Capitol to the family of Lt. Cmdr. Robert F. Stegina in recognition of his service and sacrifice to our nation. May this flag serve as a lasting reminder of Lt. Cmdr. Stegina’s dedication, courage, and commitment to our country. 🇺🇸

Supporting Our Veterans and Their Caregivers

Family caregivers play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans. The VA Caregiver Support Program provides education, resources, support, and services to caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care. I encourage veteran caregivers across VA-02 to take advantage of this important resource and connect with their local Caregiver Support Team…!!

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 thought local and state governments should regulate data centers instead of Congress. Of the responses, 73% said YES, 12% said NO, and 15% were UNSURE.

The potential for positive change ignited by data centers is vast, but I also know that we must be wary of potential pitfalls of over- or under-regulating this burgeoning industry. While many data centers bring thousands of skilled jobs to an area or may increase tax revenue, there are many drawbacks that must be considered as well, including displacement of homes and agriculture, disruptions in community infrastructure, and negative impacts on the community's quality of life.

As data centers continue to expand, communities must consider their impact on energy use, infrastructure, economic development, and the surrounding neighborhood. Decisions about these facilities can vary significantly from one community to another, making local input an important part of the process. I remain committed to supporting policies that respect the role of state and local governments, encourage responsible economic development, and ensure communities have a meaningful voice in decisions that directly affect them.

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

Do you support expanding the usage of 529 education savings plans to workforce training?

Yes

Unsure

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: April 4, 2003).

Paul Smith was born on September 24, 1969, in El Paso, Texas, and moved with his family to Tampa, Florida, at age nine. After graduating from Tampa Bay Vocational Technical High School in 1988, he enlisted in the Army. Following basic training, he was stationed in Germany, where he met his wife, and the couple went on to raise two children. In May 2001, his unit deployed, beginning a period of service that would ultimately be defined by extraordinary courage and sacrifice.

On April 4, 2003, near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, Sergeant First Class Smith was constructing a prisoner-of-war holding area when his task force came under attack by a large group of enemy soldiers. He quickly organized a defense to protect the nearly 100 fellow soldiers in the area. Despite heavy enemy fire, Smith engaged the attackers with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons while coordinating the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from a damaged personnel carrier. As the battle intensified, he moved through heavy fire to operate a .50-caliber machine gun on the damaged vehicle, remaining exposed to protect his soldiers until he was mortally wounded. His actions helped end the attack, possibly killed as many as 50 enemy soldiers, allowed countless soldiers to safely withdraw, and played an important role in the liberation of Baghdad just five days later.

Two years later, Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House, becoming the first recipient recognized for actions during the War on Terror. The award was given to his eleven-year-old son, David. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. In 2003, the United States Army Simulation and Training Technology Center in Orlando, Florida, was renamed in his honor. His legacy continues to be honored in his hometown and throughout the military community. Smith’s courage and ultimate sacrifice serve as a lasting reminder of the extraordinary actions taken by those who serve their country.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Joan from Chesapeake in resolving an issue with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework inquiry process. Thanks for reaching out, Joan ...!

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!

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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