Hello Friends!

It’s been a busy and rewarding week serving Virginia’s Second District!

This week I visited Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services at NAS Oceana to thank the brave men and women keeping our Navy safe. Team Kiggans also hosted Mobile Office Hours in Chesapeake, helping constituents with everything from VA claims to passports. And I was grateful to visit the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore’s Food Hub, where I saw firsthand the compassion and generosity that make our community so strong.

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief!

Talking My TUTOR Act with WAVY News...!

On Tuesday, I had an insightful conversation with WAVY News about my bipartisan TUTOR Act—a bill inspired by my little sister that provides financial relief to teachers who tutor students outside the classroom. As our kids head back to school, it’s more important than ever that we support and show our appreciation for the incredible work our teachers do...!

Read the article here and watch the video 👇

Discussing the One Big Beautiful Bill with Local Business Leaders



Thank you to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce for hosting Monday’s One Big Beautiful Bill Roundtable!

I voted for the OBBB because it provides major tax wins for American families, seniors, hourly workers, and job creators. It also delivers strategic investments to keep our southern border secure, unleash American energy, and strengthen our military. Thank you all for participating in this important discussion…!

Read my press release here

Supporting Innovative Care for Veterans’ Brain Injuries

When a veteran suffers from a brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, we should exhaust all of our medical resources for treatment and rehabilitation, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). That’s why I was proud to co-sponsor Congressman Greg Murphy's Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program for HBOT therapy. Veterans should be able to use the treatment they best respond to when pursuing VA healthcare!

Mobile Office Hours in Chesapeake...!!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Mobile Office Hours in Chesapeake..!! Whether you had questions about a VA claim, needed help with a passport, or just wanted to share your thoughts—my team was glad to connect with you.

Stay tuned for details on future Mobile Office Hours…!!

A Visit to Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services

Last week, I visited the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services at Naval Air Station Oceana to thank the brave men and women who keep our Navy safe here in Virginia's Second District. As the granddaughter of a fireman and a proud Navy veteran, I’ll always stand with our first responders and servicemembers who answer the call each and every day!

Bipartisan Action to Restore Confidence in Congress

Recently, I co-led the bipartisan Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act. This landmark legislation would prohibit Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. 

The ETHICS Act will ensure no Member of Congress can use their power and position to enrich themselves. When more and more Americans are losing trust in our institutions, including Congress, this bipartisan bill is one way we can begin to restore that trust.

Read my full press release here

Strengthening Support for Families in VA-02

On Tuesday, I visited the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore’s Food Hub. It was an inspiring reminder of the generosity and compassion that define our community. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with local partners and see firsthand the incredible work being done to ensure families in VA-02 have the support they need…!

(Including free health education from the volunteer nursing students from Old Dominion University's School of Nursing—my alma mater!)

Wrapping Up the August District Work Period: Pro Forma Session

Thank you to Speaker Mike Johnson for the opportunity to preside over last Friday's pro forma session of Congress. As we wrap up the district work period, I’ll keep meeting with folks across #VA02 to ensure your voices are represented in Washington.

Watch my brief remarks from the floor 👇

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

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 White House has announced they have suspended tours for the months of September and October).
• 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, “Do you expect a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the next few weeks?” With over 1,300 responses, the results were: 22.5% said YES, 61.2% said NO, and 16.4% were UNSURE.

Like all of you, I want to see an end to this brutal war as soon as possible. The suffering of the Ukrainian people has gone on for far too long, and the world is watching closely to see if real progress can be made.

As a Navy veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have always believed that peace is achieved through strength. That’s why I fully support President Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts, which included back-to-back meetings with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, and nine European leaders. By pairing America’s unmatched military might with serious diplomatic engagement, he is sending a clear message: the United States will never be intimidated, and we will always defend freedom.

The road to peace will not be easy, but I am encouraged that for the first time in years, meaningful negotiations are taking place with American leadership at the table. I remain committed to supporting policies that strengthen our allies, deter our adversaries, and ultimately bring this conflict to an end.

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 Specialist Fourth Class John Philip Baca of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: February 10, 1970).

John P. Baca was born on January 10, 1949, in Providence, RI and raised in San Diego, CA. In 1968, at the age 19, Baca was drafted into the Army. Following basic training, Baca was sent to Vietnam assigned to Company D of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division in July of 1969.

On February 10, 1970, now Specialist 4th Class John Philip Baca along with his recoilless rifle team, began a night ambush mission. A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit's main position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and realizing that his recoilless-rifle team could assist their fellow soldiers, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire to a firing position within the patrol's defensive perimeter. As they prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the midst of the patrol. 

Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Baca unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his body. Reflecting later, Sp4c Baca said, “It was like slow motion. I just kind of slowly fell on top of it.” His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being directly saved eight men from certain serious injury or death.

After nearly a year of recovery, he was honorably discharged as Sergeant Baca on March 1, 1971, and the next day received the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon. Following his service, Baca worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and remained dedicated to veteran causes. In 1990, he returned to Vietnam to help build a friendship clinic, working alongside former adversaries. To this day, he continues to support Gold Star families and fellow veterans.

Constituent Corner

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

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!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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