Friends,

Welcome back to another weekly recap! Before we dive in to everything that happened last week, I want to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day. I’ve had many jobs in my life but my all time favorite is being a Mom! Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms in VA-02 and around the country… I hope your day was filled with the things and people you love!

Last week was a busy week in Washington, and we voted on several pieces of important legislation, including the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act, which I introduced earlier this year. The House also voted on legislation to modify the census to only count U.S. citizens when calculating the population numbers that directly lead to the creation (or subtraction) of seats in Congress. I was proud to vote in favor of these bills, and you can read more about them below:

Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act

Last week, my legislation - the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act - passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a unanimous voice vote! This legislation would require members of the National Security Council to provide notification to the proper officials in the event of a scheduled or emergent medical incapacitation.

At a time when our nation is facing threats around the world, we cannot afford for those who are critical to America’s national security to disappear without explanation and a clear delegation of their responsibilities. As someone who served in the Armed Forces for nearly 10 years, I was alarmed by reports back in January that those at the highest levels in the chain of command were not informed when Secretary of Defense Austin required an unexpected leave of absence due to health challenges.

This legislation will address this issue and prevent any similar chain of command breakdowns in the future and preserve the integrity of our national security. You can watch me speak on the House Floor about the legislation here:

I am proud the House came together across party lines and passed my bill to prevent critical communications breakdowns that put our men and women in uniform at risk. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly so the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act can become law and help us protect America’s national security.

Promoting Positive Health through Outdoor Recreation

Last Wednesday, I joined the National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum for an important panel discussion about the relationship between outdoor recreation and mental and physical health. I was honored to discuss the significant benefits of spending time outdoors...especially for our military veterans.

Time spent outdoors can support recovery for veterans from combat-related injuries, trauma recovery, and the transition to civilian life. As a primary care provider, I have seen these positive health results firsthand and believe it is important to advocate in Congress for increased access to our public parks.

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.

That's why I introduced the Military and Veterans in Parks Act back in November to expand outdoor access for those with disabilities. We need to protect outdoor access for those who protected us, whether that's through adaptive trails and equipment, dedicated outreach efforts, or outdoor workforce development for our servicemembers. This legislation was included in the EXPLORE Act, which passed the House last month. I'm hopeful the Senate will act on it soon!

Thank You, Nurses!

Last week was National Nurses Week and May 6th was National Nurses Day…! Across our Commonwealth and our country, nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare and I am so grateful for ALL the work they do to take care of the American people!

Over the next decade, it’s estimated that nearly 275,000 nurses will be needed to care for our America’s patients. Supporting the more than four million Americans who make up our nation’s nursing workforce directly impacts the future health of our country. 

There is no doubt in my mind that my experience as a primary care provider helped me grow into the person I am today. It is truly a privilege to use my position in Congress to be an advocate for my fellow nurses. Thank you, nurses, for all you do for your patients...!

Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

For those who may not know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On May 1st, I spoke on the House Floor to honor the life and service of Rear Admiral Ming Ehr Chang, who was the first naturalized Asian American to become a flag officer in the United States Navy!

Rear Admiral Chang served our nation honorably for 34 years before retiring in 1992. He dedicated the rest of his life to life to mentoring and promoting young Asian Americans so that they could achieve the American Dream, as he did. His memory and legacy are an inspiration to us all.

Rear Admiral Chang passed away in October 2017. He embodied what it means to be an American and forged a path forward for future generations of Asian Americans. It was a privilege to honor his legacy...!

Appreciating America's Military Spouses

Last week, our nation also celebrated Military Spouse Appreciation Day...! As a former Navy helicopter pilot, Navy spouse, and now a Navy mom, I understand firsthand the incredible sacrifice that comes with dedicating your family to a life of service in the military. Their unwavering commitment to our nation's military and their families deserves to be recognized.

I am proud to advocate for our military families every day in Washington! Thank you, military spouses, for all you do for our country...!

Weekly Poll

Last week was the first time over 1,000 of you all responded to the weekly poll...! Thank you to those who participate every week. I always enjoy hearing your opinions on the most pressing issues facing Congress and our nation!

Last week, almost 80% of you said that the House should not vacate the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. I agree with you, which is why I voted to table the motion to vacate from one of my colleagues. I have witnessed Speaker Johnson listen to all voices within our thin House majority and work to do what is right for the American people regardless of his own self-interest. Too much is at stake to let the perfect be the enemy of the good - we must ensure the House stays focused on the business of the American people...!

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

Michael Flemming Folland was born on April 15, 1949 in Richmond, Virginia. During his childhood he had the reputation of being a little out of control and he was even sent to a reformatory school during his early years. As it would turn out, this characteristic which worried his parents and others in his youth, would later allow the soldier to display extreme heroism without fear for his own life.

In 1968, as the war in Vietnam began escalating, Folland volunteered for active-duty service in the United States Army. In the fall of that year, he enrolled in Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. By 1969, Folland deployed to South Vietnam to fight in the war as a Corporal in Company D, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade and serving as an ammunition bearer for the weapons platoon. 

On July 3rd 1969, Folland and members of Company D were carrying out a reconnaissance patrol mission in Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam as a part of Operation Toan Thang III. During the patrol mission the patrol was forced to travel through a dense jungle area which left them heavily exposed and vulnerable to an enemy attack. 

As the group struggled to navigate through the difficult terrain, it was caught in an intense crossfire from heavily fortified and concealed enemy ambush positions. The patrol attempted to neutralize the ambush, but it was clear that the heavy weapons could not be used in the cramped fighting area. Cpl. Folland dropped the ammunition he had in his possession and ran forward to join his commander in an assault on the enemy bunkers.

The assaulting force moved forward until it was pinned down directly in front of the heavily fortified bunkers by machine-gun fire. At this point, Cpl. Folland stood up to draw enemy fire on himself and to place suppressive fire on the enemy positions while his commander attempted to destroy the machine-gun positions with grenades. However, before the officer could throw a grenade, an enemy grenade landed in the position. Cpl. Folland alerted his comrades and his commander hurled the grenade from the position. 

When a second enemy grenade landed in the position, Cpl. Folland again shouted a warning to his fellow soldiers. Seeing that no one could reach the grenade and realizing that it was about to explode, Cpl. Folland, with complete disregard for his safety, threw himself on the grenade. Cpl. Folland saved the lives of his comrades although he was mortally wounded by the explosion. 

For his actions on July 3rd, 1963, Cpl. Michael Flemming Folland earned the congressional Medal of Honor. This medal was awarded to his family on December 16, 1971 by Vice President Spiro Agnew. Cpl. Folland was buried at the Glendale National Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. 

Fun Fact of the Week!

Did you know the original Library of Congress was located in the United States Capitol Building? In 1814, when the British burned much of Washington D.C., including the Capitol and the library. Upon hearing this news, former President Thomas Jefferson sold a portion of his personal collection to the government for $23,940. The Jefferson collection was double the size of the original library and portions of which can still be viewed today!

If you are making a trip to Washington, D.C. and would like to visit the Library of Congress, you can reserve a timed entry pass here.

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!

If you or your family are visiting Washington DC in the coming summer months, please stop by to say hello! If you are interested in a tour, please let us know!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District