Hello Friends, 

As we begin a new year, my focus remains clear: delivering results that strengthen our national security, lower costs for families, and ensure access to quality healthcare for every Virginian. Whether it’s standing up for our servicemembers and law enforcement, supporting rural communities, or fighting to make life more affordable, I remain committed to putting people over politics and governing with purpose.

This year also opened with a powerful reminder that strong American leadership matters. The successful operation in Venezuela demonstrated that the United States will not tolerate tyranny, illicit drug trafficking, or threats to our national security. I am deeply grateful to the brave servicemembers and federal law enforcement officers who carried out this mission and continue to protect our nation at home and abroad.

As your Representative, I will keep working to deliver common-sense solutions, protect our communities, and ensure Virginia’s Second District has a strong voice in Washington. Thank you for the honor of serving you—I look forward to the work ahead.

The House 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.

Holding the Maduro Regime Accountable—and Protecting America’s Security

On January 3rd, the United States led with strength after years of watching Nicolás Maduro brutalize the Venezuelan people and partner with U.S. adversaries. His regime fueled instability and helped push deadly narcotics into American communities. This is American strength in its boldest and most effective form…

Read my full statement 👇

For too long, the illegitimate Maduro regime was able to oppress the people of Venezuela, empower U.S. adversaries, and funnel illicit drugs into our country. I’m grateful for the servicemembers and federal law enforcement officers who carried out this high-stakes mission. Holding Maduro accountable for his crimes sends a message the world understands—America protects its people, its interests, and its allies.

Read more from 13News Now here.

Aside from the countless atrocities Nicolás Maduro committed against his own people, he operated as a pawn of the CCP, Tehran, and Moscow. He provided our adversaries with critical resources and a dangerous foothold in the Western Hemisphere. President Trump’s decisive action freed the Venezuelan people from an oppressive dictatorship and weakened our adversaries.

Listen to my conversation with Kerry & Mike 👇

Care Closer to Home: Securing $189 Million for Rural Health in Virginia

I am proud to announce that $189 million dollars will be returning to Virginia to support rural health! This is one of the many reasons our Republican Majority was proud to pass the Working Families Tax Cut. This funding means we can modernize infrastructure and achieve better outcomes for our constituents. Quality care should always be within reach….!

Protecting the American Dream: Expanding Affordable Homeownership

Home ownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. I was proud to vote for the Affordable HOMES Act last week to cut home building red tape, remove burdensome Biden-era energy construction requirements, and help more families achieve affordable home ownership…! We need more affordable housing!

My Vote on the ACA Premium Tax Credit Extension

Last week, I voted against Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ three-year clean extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits via a discharge petition. The three-year extension included no reforms and would cost $80.6 billion between 2026 and 2035, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also had no mechanism in place to weed out fraud. I will continue to fight to lower the cost of healthcare in Congress and I look forward to seeing the broader healthcare reform plan that is coming out of the Senate. 

Read my statement on last week's ACA premium tax credit vote in the House 👇

Investing in Our Ports, Infrastructure, and Public Safety

I am proud to announce that my office has secured almost $11 million for Virginia’s Second District in this year’s House appropriation bills! This federal funding will be returned to our Hampton Roads communities and, when the bill is signed into law, will provide significant investment in infrastructure upgrades and quality of life improvements!

Read my press release here.

Stopping Mid-Decade Redistricting to Restore Trust and Stability

Conversations surrounding mid-decade redistricting are fueling division across the country. In the Commonwealth of Virginia alone, HJ4 has been introduced to amend the Constitution of Virginia and provide explicit authority for the General Assembly to modify one or more congressional districts outside of the standard decennial redistricting cycle. This is wrong, and it will encourage partisan redistricting that only benefits the party in power while disenfranchising voters across the state.

We must combat these attempts to divide our country and focus on the issues that matter most to hard-working Americans. In light of these troubling developments, I was proud to cosponsor Rep. Kevin Kiley’s bill to prohibit mid-decade redistricting nationwide and protect the integrity of our elections.

Read the full bill text here.

Honoring the Men and Women Who Keep Our Communities Safe

Last week, we observed Law Enforcement Recognition Day! To our police officers and sheriff’s deputies in VA-02 and across America, THANK YOU for your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to keeping our communities safe! I am proud to stand with you today and always…!

Delivering for VA-02: Lower Gas Prices and VA Progress

2026 is off to a strong start for Virginia families and our veterans. Gas prices are the lowest they’ve been in years—putting more money back in families’ pockets and helping small businesses. And at the VA, the benefits backlog is down 60% and new partnerships like Hampton’s work with the U.S. Public Health Service are filling staffing gaps so our veterans get the timely care they’ve earned.

Mobile Office Hours in Southampton...!

Team Kiggans is hitting the road again! My staff will be hosting Mobile Office Hours on Wednesday, January 21st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Southampton County Administration Building (26022 Administration Center Drive, Courtland, VA 23837).

Mobile Office Hours are a convenient way for residents of Virginia’s Second District to get help with federal agencies, ask questions, and share concerns—right in our own community. Whether you need assistance with a passport, VA benefits, Social Security, or just want to learn more about how my office can support you, we’re here to help.

No appointment is necessary—just stop by! My team looks forward to serving you.

Calling Official Office Interns for Spring 2026...!

We are now accepting internship applications for Spring 2026! 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.

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

Last week, I asked whether Congress has made enough progress this year on strengthening our national security. The results were clear: 61.7% said NO, 23.6% said YES, and 14.7% were UNSURE. Your responses reflect a shared sentiment that Congress must do more to keep our nation safe and prepared.

While I recognize there is still work to be done, I am proud of the progress made through the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation strengthens our defense industrial base, improves quality of life for servicemembers and their families, and makes critical investments in military readiness and modernization—many of which directly benefit our district. The FY26 NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for troops, over $1.5 billion for military housing, nearly $500 million for childcare, and $335 million to improve military healthcare. It also invests $26 billion in shipbuilding, $25 billion in munitions, and $145 billion in research and development to keep our forces ready and capable. These investments are critical to Hampton Roads, where our servicemembers, shipyards, and defense workforce serve an essential role in national security. 

No single bill solves every challenge, but I remain committed to fighting for strong, smart defense policies that support our troops, strengthen our industrial base, and keep America secure.

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 Private First Class William H. Thomas of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: April 22, 1945). 

Thomas was born January 13, 1923 in Wynne, Arkansas. In 1942, Thomas joined the Army from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thomas was serving as a private first class in the 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division while deployed to the Pacific Theater.

On April 22, 1945, Pfc. Thomas was fighting in the Zambales Mountains on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. As an automatic rifleman of the leading squad of Company B, Pfc. Thomas was among the first to attack the narrow, wooded ridge where the enemy was entrenched. Camouflaged, the enemy directed heavy fire and explosive charges on the U.S. soldiers. Pfc. Thomas was struck by one of the explosive charges, leaving him fatally injured. With both legs blown off below the knees, Pfc. Thomas refused aid and evacuation, instead choosing to continue firing at the enemy until his weapon was struck. As his last act, Pfc. Thomas threw his final two grenades at the enemy. Later that day, Pfc. William H. Thomas died from his injuries. 

For his magnificent courage and heroic devotion to duty, Pfc. Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. The medal now resides in the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Pfc. Robert H. Jenkins Jr. lays in rest at the A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery in Manila, Philippine Islands. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. My office assisted Isaiah 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, Isaiah...!

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!

Happy Holidays!!

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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