Hello Friends,

Last week, the House was out of session, which gave me the opportunity to return home to Virginia’s Second District and spend time with the people and communities I’m proud to represent. From meeting with key local partners to celebrating important milestones across VA-02, it was a week full of meaningful conversations and exciting progress.

I was honored to return to ECPI University last weekend to deliver the commencement keynote address for this year’s graduating class! Joining students, faculty, staff, and families to celebrate such an important milestone for more than 700 graduates was truly a privilege. More than 80 percent of this year’s graduates are entering STEM and healthcare professions, and I know they will make a meaningful impact across our community and beyond.

Throughout the week, I also had the chance to highlight important investments on the Eastern Shore, celebrate major wins for our military families, and recognize the dedicated individuals who serve our communities every day. I will continue to advocate for these initiatives and individuals as your Representative.



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

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief.

Happy Military Spouses Day!

On Military Spouses Day, we honored the husbands and wives who serve alongside our servicemembers through sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering support. As a Navy veteran and Navy wife, I know the unique challenges our military families face, and I am proud to represent the countless military spouses across VA-02 in Congress! Thank you for all you do to support our servicemembers, families, and communities each and every day…!🇺🇸

Highlighting Local Creativity with Art Gallery Night!

Congratulations and thank you to all of this year’s Congressional Art Competition participants! This year’s winners beautifully reflected the America250 theme and showcased incredible talent from across VA-02. I am so excited to bring our first place submission up to DC to display in the Cannon tunnel for a year! Thank you to Virginia Beach City Councilman Michael Berlucchi for joining us last week as we celebrated all 51 submissions for our annual Art Gallery Night. Congratulations again to all of our winners…!

BIG Win for Military Families...!

Thank you, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, for listening to my concerns on behalf of military families regarding the plastic bag fee at our commissaries and for taking swift action to eliminate it! Prioritizing affordability for our service members and their families is essential, and this decision is a meaningful win for those who serve. We do not need another additional tax on hard working families and I will always support measures to make life LESS expensive for everyone!

Read my press release here.

Congratulations to ECPI University Class of 2026!

It was such a privilege to join students, faculty, staff, and guests at this year‘s commencement ceremony for ECPI University. This year marks ECPI‘s 60th year as a top accredited university in the country, and I was honored to present the keynote address for the graduating class! Congratulations!! I am so proud of your accomplishments and cannot wait to see what you do for our community…! 

Investing in the Future of Flight on the Eastern Shore

I was proud to join state and local partners for a new Accomack County Airport hangar groundbreaking! This important investment will increase connectivity with the Eastern Shore and promote Virginia's general aviation programs! Thank you to Virginia Spaceport Authority for overseeing this project, which will drive economic growth, support innovation, and create good-paying jobs...!

Honoring our Fallen Law Enforcement Heroes

It was a privilege to attend the annual Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony honoring the brave law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. To all of our law enforcement officers, thank you for your unwavering commitment and sacrifice to keep our communities safe. As we celebrate National Police Week this week, we remember and honor the courage, service, and legacy of the fallen officers whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

Delivering Tax Relief to VA-02 Small Businesses

Small Businesses create jobs and drive our economy here in VA-02. That's why my House GOP colleagues and I passed the Working Families Tax Cut to deliver tax relief for our communities. By making the small business deduction permanent, restoring full immediate expensing, and cutting red tape, we're giving Main Street the tools it needs to grow...!

Supporting VA-02 Farmers with the 2026 Farm Bill

This year's Farm Bill delivers stability and relief for VA-02. From expanding farm safety net programs and disaster assistance to improving rural healthcare infrastructure, the House GOP is working to ensure our farmers, families, and communities have the support they need to thrive...!!

Celebrating National Day of Prayer in Suffolk

In honor of last week's National Day of Prayer, I joined friends, community partners, and City of Suffolk leadership this morning for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast. In a world that often feels divided and fast-paced, taking time to pause, reflect, and pray together is more important than ever. It was especially meaningful to hear remarks on faith and service from Mike Hukabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel. I was honored by the invitation and opportunity to share a few words with such an inspiring group last week!

Thank you, Nurses...!

Last week was National Nurses Week! As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I know the dedication, compassion, and resilience our nurses bring to their jobs every day. Our nurses work from sun-up to sundown to provide loving and lifesaving patient care. Every week, we recognize these incredible healthcare heroes! Thank you for all you do...!!

Celebrating Community at the 31st Annual Colonna’s Crawfish Jamboree

I had so much fun attending the 31st Annual Colonna's Crawfish Jamboree in Chesapeake...! What a great opportunity to see our community partners and local leaders, including Chesapeake Mayor Rick West and Colonna's Shipyard CEO Randall Crutchfield. Thank you to everyone at Colonna's Shipyard for hosting another fantastic event and for all you do to support Hampton Roads' maritime industry and economy! 🦞

Join Us for Service Academy Information Night...!

Attention VA-02 students! My district staff is hosting our 2026 Service Academy Information Night on Wednesday, May 27th in the Landstown High School Auditorium in Virginia Beach...! If you are a student interested in applying for a service academy nomination through my office, joining the military officer corps, or pursuing education at a military college… we'd love to see you there...! 🇺🇸

Please fill out the RSVP form👉 here.

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.

👉 To request a tour click here.

Weekly Poll

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s poll! I asked whether you watched King Charles III’s Joint Address. Of those who responded, 35% said YES and 65% said NO.

On April 28, King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress as part of commemorations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. In his remarks, he highlighted the longstanding “special relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States, and called for continued cooperation in support of democracy, Ukraine, and NATO’s role in global stability amid a complex international environment.

The address served as a reminder of the enduring ties between our two nations and the role of shared democratic values in shaping global cooperation, especially in times of crisis.

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 Eli Lamar Whiteley of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: December 27, 1944)

Whiteley was born December 10, 1913 in Florence, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a doctorate in soil physics from Texas A&M University. In 1942, six months into a master’s degree at North Carolina State, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served as a first lieutenant of Company L, 15th Infantry, 3D Infantry Division.

On December 27, 1944, he led his platoon in fierce house-to-house fighting in Sigolsheim, France. He attacked a building through a street bombarded by mortar fire along with automatic-weapon fire. He was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder, but continued his advance into the house alone, killing its two defenders. He charged the next house using smoke and fragmentation grenades before entering, killing two more and capturing 11 enemy troops once inside.

Still suffering from his injuries that rendered his left arm useless, Whiteley continued to clear hostiles from defended buildings and strongholds along the city streets. He later came to a strongly defended building filled with enemy Nazi troops. After blasting out a wall with a bazooka, he charged through the bullets and into the house, killing five and forcing the surrender of an additional 12 enemies. After clearing the building, he was again injured by a shell fragment that pierced his eye. He remained at the head of his platoon and continued fighting until he was forcibly evacuated. In total, on December 27, 1944, Whiteley killed nine Germans and captured 23.

For his disregard for personal safety, aggressiveness while suffering from severe wounds, and his determined leadership and superb courage in Sigolsheim, France, First Lieutenant Eli L. Whiteley was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman on August 23, 1945. Eli L. Whiteley died December 2, 1986 and is buried at City Cemetery in College Station, Texas.

Constituent Corner

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

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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