Friends,

Before we debrief the happenings from last week, I ask that you please join me in praying for the Israeli people and expressing gratitude to our men and women in uniform who helped intercept the 300+ drones and missiles headed toward Israel, our ally and the only democracy in the Middle East. Now more than ever, we must stand by all of our allies and ensure we are supporting our military men and women and their families at home and abroad.

I will continue working to ensure we do just that in Washington. It is truly an honor to advocate for Hampton Roads in Congress...here are some important highlights from last week!

Reaffirming our Commitment to Israel

As you know, over the weekend Iran launched over 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at our closest ally in the Middle East in what was the regime's first direct attack on Israel in history. These weapons were paid for by Iran's oil revenue which President Biden has allowed to surge to a 5-year high, and their purchase was possible because less than six months ago, the Biden administration allowed UN sanctions on Iran's drones and ballistic missiles to expire. I fear President Biden’s appeasement of Iran and his failure to stand firmly with Israel has played right into the hands of the Ayatollah and his terrorist proxies...

Regimes like Iran and its proxies only understand one language: strength. During this critical time, it is crucial the United States displays strength on the world stage and support our allies. Last week, I proudly spoke on the House Floor in support of Israel where I recently returned from having seen with my own eyes the devastation of the October 7th attacks.

In a world that grows more dangerous by the day, we must stand with our allies like Israel and ensure peace through strength on the global stage so we can eliminate Hamas and deter all of Iran’s other proxies that threaten our own servicemembers abroad.

In Congress, I will continue to stand by Israel and support our ally's right to self defense. Israel did not start this war but they do have a right to fight back against brutal terrorists. We must do everything in our power to provide Israel with the support they need to defend themselves...we cannot afford to allow our enemies to become further emboldened.

Cheering on VA-02's App Challenge Winners!

We had some very special guests in the Capitol this week...! It was awesome to welcome the winners of the annual Congressional App Challenge from across the nation for a showcase of apps they developed. I want to give a huge shoutout to our winners from Virginia Beach, Ky-Quan and Cameron, for their winning submission. Called "Stellar," their app will help Americans become more financially literate by creating a household budget!

The fact that more than 11,000 students participated in this year’s App Challenge is incredible...! As our world and economy continue to rely upon technology, it is so important for these students to continue to pursue their passions and create future innovations that will shape our world for years to come. 

I am excited to watch them all - especially Ky-Quan and Cameron - become our next generation of leaders and help America solve the problems of tomorrow! Congrats and keep up the great work!

Welcoming the Japanese Prime Minister to the U.S.

Last week, the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, spoke before a Joint Session of Congress on the relationship between our two great nations. I had the privilege to be among those who escorted the Prime Minister into the chamber for his address. It was an honor to welcome him to our nation's Capitol...!

As someone who taught English in Japan as a part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and later lived there as a Navy spouse, Japan is like a second home to me. But beyond my experiences there, Japan is our greatest ally in Southeast Asia as we seek to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated its desire to increase its influence and aggression far beyond the South China Sea. Now more than ever, we need our friends to partner with us to deter authoritarian expansionism from China.

I thank Prime Minister Kishida for visiting Congress and highlighting the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship. I will always stand with our allies who value democracy, the rule of law, and free economic development...!

Advocating for Disabled Veterans

Last week, the House passed the EXPLORE Act, which includes my Military Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act to increase access to adaptive trails, accommodations, and activities on our public lands for disabled veterans...!

Unfortunately, National Parks and other federal lands often lack adequate accessible trails, activities, and lodging for those with disabilities. As the wife of a veteran, the mother of future veterans, and a former Navy helicopter pilot myself, I have made it my mission since day one to advocate for the mental health of our servicemembers and veterans. As a primary care provider, I know the connection between outdoor recreation and improved mental health outcomes cannot be denied.

Click on the video below to hear me speak on the House floor about how important this legislation is:

I am proud the House passed the EXPLORE Act unanimously and that it is one step closer to becoming law. I will always fight to provide our veterans with the resources and tools they need to build healthy, happy lives...!

Supporting America's Navy

This week I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues from the House Armed Services Committee on a panel for the Navy League of the United States' annual Sea, Air, and Space Expo. We talked about how we are working to address quality of life issues facing our sailors and how to best support America's Navy against the growing threat of China, Iran, and other adversaries across the globe. Thank you for having us...!

Weekly Poll

With over 880 votes last week, 60% of you said that President Biden was wrong to call for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Israel Hamas conflict.

And now on to this week's poll question! Please click one of the buttons below to share your opinion.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Col. Joe Jackson of the United States Air Force (Medal of Honor action date - May 12, 1968) 

Joe Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia on March 14, 1923. Throughout his childhood he always displayed interests in airplanes and all things aviation and always dreamed of becoming an airplane mechanic. A few days after turning 18, Jackson enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. In the air corps, he went on to serve as a Crew Chief aboard a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.

One experience during a test flight changed the course of Jackson’s career in the military. While substituting for a pilot who called out sick, the right engine of the plane he was co-piloting caught fire. When the main pilot was unable to resolve the fire and requested Jackson’s assistance, Jackson did not shy away from the challenge and was able to successfully save the plane and the crew on board. This near death experience led to a shift in Jackson’s career path in the military. Now wanting to be a pilot, he successfully completed Aviation Cadet Training and became a commissioned officer flying P-40 Warhawks and P-63 Kingcobras throughout World War II. 

By the time he served in Korea, Jackson was promoted to Major where he was assigned to the 524th Fighter Squadron as the Operation Officer and Executive Officer of the squadron. During the Korean War he flew 107 combat missions in the F-84 Thunderjet as a fighter-bomber pilot. Jackson served in both WWII and Korea and when the U.S. entered Vietnam, Jackson, then a Lieutenant Colonel, volunteered to serve once again. Lt. Col. Jackson was assigned to the 311th Air Commando Squadron as a commander flying the C-123 Provider over South Vietnam. 

During the Vietnam War, he flew 298 combat missions. On May 12, 1968 Jackson volunteered to rescue a three-man USAF Combat Control Team from the Special Forces camp at Kham Duc. Hostile forces had overrun the forward outpost and established gun positions on the airstrip. They were bombarding the camp with small-arms, mortars and heavy automatic-weapons. The camp was engulfed in flames and ammunition dumps were continuously exploding and littering the runway with debris.

Although fully aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, Lt. Col. Jackson elected to land his aircraft and attempt to rescue. Displaying superb airmanship and extraordinary heroism, he landed his aircraft near the point where the combat control team was reported to be hiding. While on the ground, his aircraft was the target of intense hostile fire. A rocket landed in front of the nose of the aircraft but failed to explode. Once the combat control team was aboard, Lt. Col. Jackson succeeded in getting airborne despite the hostile fire directed across the runway in front of his aircraft. 

Lt. Col. Jackson earned the Medal of Honor for his profound concern for his fellow men and was awarded the medal by President Johnson on January 16, 1969 at the White House. Lt. Col. Jackson passed away on January 12, 2019 at the age of 95 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Fun Fact of the Week!

Did you know that the City of Franklin was originally established in the 1830's as a railroad stop along the route to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina? During the Civil War, the city even saw a skirmish between Confederate soldiers and Union ships traversing the Blackwater River. As a result of their heroic actions, seven Union soldiers were granted the Medal of Honor...!

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my DC Office at (202) 225-4215 or my Virginia Beach District Office at (757) 364-7650 with questions, concerns, or if you require assistance with a federal agency. And 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, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District