Hello Friends,

I was pleased to join House Republicans in voting to fund the Department of State last week. Protecting Americans abroad and ensuring our national security interests are funded is pivotal in making sure America remains prosperous and safe. The House also passed bills that will ensure our homeland remains secure, efficient, and prepared for future generations.

At the same time, it was an honor to join our military and shipbuilding communities in meeting to discuss how we can best advocate for them. I remain committed to supporting legislation that benefits servicemembers, military families, and our local shipbuilding industry.

I also had the opportunity to highlight the important work that goes into training service dogs for law enforcement and veterans. The working dog community is an important aspect of our national security, both in the field and at home. I am proud to support service dog training in Virginia's Second Congressional District through the Congressional Working Dog Caucus...!

As always, it is the honor of a lifetime 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.

Funding Our Nation's International Security

Last week, I proudly supported the FY27 National Security and Department of State Appropriations bill. This legislation is the third of twelve bills needed to fund the federal government for FY27, and it supports our allies, keeps our adversaries on notice, and combats the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities. Protecting American personnel and interests abroad will always be one of my top priorities…!

Read my press release 👉 here.

Advocating For Our Local Shipbuilding Industry

Hampton Roads is the heart of our nation’s maritime strength, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard is critical to keeping our Navy the greatest fighting force in the world. I was grateful to join staff and servicemembers in touring the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the USS Ford last week to learn more about how Congress can support and grow our area’s shipbuilding industry. Thank you to Rear Adm. Hakimzadeh, Mr. McLain, and Capt. Ramsey for your leadership and service to our great nation...!

Preserving Consistency in Timekeeping For Americans

Last week, I proudly voted for the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent..! This commonsense measure will provide greater consistency for our farmers, reduce energy use, and help improve community safety. It’s time to end the twice-a-year clock changes!

Supporting the Important Work at Military Children Summer Camps

Recently, I visited Operation Purple Camp hosted by the National Military Family Association where our military children go to summer camp at no cost! Programs like this provide military-connected children with opportunities to build friendships, make fun summer memories, and connect with others who share similar military family experiences. Thank you to the National Military Family Association and everyone who makes this special week possible for our military kids…!

Meeting the Next Generation of Working Dogs

It’s always so much fun when Virginia's puppies come to Capitol Hill…! As Co-Chair of the Working Dog Caucus, I’m proud to support the organizations preparing these incredible puppies to support our veterans, active duty personnel, and law enforcement. Thank you to Hampton Roads-based American K-9 Interdiction for the important work you do to train the next generation of four-legged heroes in Coastal Virginia and across the country…!

Supporting the USO in Providing Resources For Servicemembers Abroad

Last week, Team Kiggans was honored to attend the unveiling of the newly renovated USO Lounge aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower…! The United Service Organizations is an invaluable partner to our military community, providing servicemembers and their families with resources, connection, and a sense of home wherever duty calls. Congratulations to the crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on this exciting milestone…! 

Honoring the Lives of the Fallen Servicemembers in Jordan

Read my statement regarding the tragic deaths of two of our servicemembers below.

Calling Official Office Interns for Fall 2026...!

We are now accepting internship applications for Fall 2026 in our D.C. and District Offices! If you’re passionate about public service and want hands-on experience serving the people of Virginia’s Second District, we encourage you to apply. Interns play an important role in helping our team serve constituents, support legislative work, and stay connected to our community. 

Apply 👉 here.

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 (225) 202-4215 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 there are too many regulations in place for developers and home builders. Of the responses, 40% said YES, 38% said NO, and 21% were UNSURE.

I know many of you are concerned about housing affordability and your community's safety and security. With housing costs sitting at an all-time high, many people in our communities are struggling to find safe and affordable places to live. At the same time, while developers attempt to meet the demands of the market, we want to ensure that homes and buildings are safe and reliable, especially for our young families. As communities continue to address housing affordability and development challenges, finding the right balance between encouraging new construction and preserving community standards remains an important conversation.

As always, I remain committed to supporting policies that expand housing opportunities, promote responsible development, and ensure our communities remain prosperous, safe, and well-positioned for growth.

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 First Lieutenant Raymond Ovila Beaudoin of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: April 6, 1945). 

Raymond Ovila Beaudoin was born on July 15, 1918, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. As an adult, he worked as a salesman before enlisting in the Massachusetts National Guard. In 1940, approximately one year before the United States entered World War II, he transitioned to active duty with Company F, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. The division later distinguished itself during the D-Day invasion, becoming one of the first Allied units to break out from the Normandy beachheads and advance inland. 

On April 6, 1945, Beaudoin’s platoon came under intense enemy fire. Pinned down in open terrain, he ordered his men to rotate through firing positions, enabling the entire platoon to dig in while distributing ammunition. Despite their defensive position, the arrival of additional enemy forces only worsened the situation. German forces were clearly planning a devastating counterattack, and the runners sent to obtain information and supplies were shot by snipers. Understanding the dire situation, Beaudoin made a one-man assault on a sniper nest about 90 yards away to distract the enemy while another runner sought help. He crawled across exposed ground under bazooka and rifle fire, then charged the position, killing three enemy soldiers. A fourth soldier was shot by Beaudoin’s platoon while attempting to flee. Continuing his assault toward an enemy dugout, First Lieutenant Beaudoin was fatally struck by machine-gun fire after his heroic actions helped protect his platoon. His sacrifice enabled a messenger to reach friendly forces with reinforcements and helped his unit defeat the German counterattack. 

On January 25, 1946, First Lieutenant Beaudoin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his extraordinary heroism. His courage and selfless sacrifice enabled reinforcements to reach the platoon, helping his unit repel the German counterattack and secure victory. Beaudoin's legacy of unwavering devotion to duty and service remains a reminder of the selflessness displayed by those who serve in the armed forces. He is buried at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley, Massachusetts. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Jerry from Chesapeake in resolving an issue with the Department of the Navy. After reaching out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework inquiry process. Thanks for reaching out, Jerry...!

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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