Hello Friends!

Although the House wasn’t in session for votes this week, my team and I remained hard at work delivering results for Coastal Virginia.

I introduced two important pieces of legislation—the Qualified for Service Act to improve fairness in military recruitment, and a resolution urging the Navy to station F-35C squadrons at NAS Oceana as part of its modernization efforts. I also had the pleasure of announcing that the Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging (ESAAA) has been awarded nearly $1 million in Head Start funding to expand early childhood education and family services in our region—an effort I strongly supported through direct advocacy.

Whether it’s advocating for our military communities, securing funding for local programs, or responding to national emergencies, I’m always working to ensure the voices of Virginia’s Second District are heard loud and clear in Washington.

Now, onto my Weekly Debrief!

Sending Prayers to Texas

My heart goes out to the families and communities across Texas who are suffering in the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding. The images coming out of the region are heartbreaking, and I’m keeping all those affected—especially those who lost loved ones—in my thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

I’m incredibly proud that Virginia Beach is stepping up in a time of national need. Our own Virginia Beach Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team deployed to Texas to assist in ongoing flood response efforts. These brave first responders are a testament to the strength, training, and compassion of our community, and I’m grateful for their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to save lives.

In moments of crisis, Americans always rise to help one another—and that is a testament to our resilience. May God protect the survivors, the rescue teams on the ground, and everyone working tirelessly to aid in the recovery.

FY'26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and Mom, I know firsthand the sacrifices our servicemembers—and their families—make in defense of our nation. That’s why I’m looking forward to marking up the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to deliver real investments in both our national security and the quality of life for our men and women in uniform and their families.

I am confident this year's NDAA will support our military families by improving housing, healthcare, and K-12 education. These quality-of-life reforms for our servicemembers will boost military recruitment numbers and make our armed forces stronger.

The bill also ensures that our military stays ahead of our foreign adversaries by investing in next-generation aircraft and technologies such as artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and autonomous systems. This includes cutting red-tape and improving Congressional oversight so our men and women in uniform can get what they need more efficiently. Our servicemembers deserve the very best and should have every advantage over our enemies on the battlefield. It should NEVER be a fair fight!

At a time when global threats are on the rise, peace through strength must once again define America’s approach to national security. The FY26 NDAA is a major step forward in restoring our military power, supporting our servicemembers, and keeping America safe.

My Resolution to Modernize Aviation at NAS Oceana

On Thursday, I introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Navy to recognize Naval Air Station Oceana—the East Coast Master Jet Base—as a vital part of its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) force, and to station F-35C squadrons there as a part of the Navy's modernization plan. 

As the Navy retires legacy F/A-18 aircraft, it must ensure that the East Coast continues to support fifth-generation carrier-based strike capabilities. The resolution calls on the Navy to adopt a dual-coast basing strategy, designate NAS Oceana to receive F-35C Lightning II squadrons, and submit a detailed implementation plan to Congress.

Read my full press release here

As your representative in Congress—and as a proud Navy veteran, spouse, and Mom—I remain committed to strengthening our national defense while protecting the people and places that make Coastal Virginia so special.

Ensuring NAS Oceana remains a cornerstone of naval aviation is critical to both our military readiness and our local economy. I’ll continue fighting for smart, strategic investments that keep our region secure, our servicemembers supported, and our community healthy.

Removing Barriers to Service: The Qualified for Service Act

As a Navy veteran and military Mom, I know how vital it is to maintain a strong, ready, and capable force. That’s why I introduced the Qualified for Service Act—a commonsense, bipartisan bill to ensure that qualified young Americans are not unfairly disqualified from serving due to outdated or resolved childhood medical diagnoses.

Every year, thousands of talented students, athletes, and scholarship recipients are turned away from military service because of medical conditions they experienced as children but no longer have. These outdated disqualifications hurt our recruitment efforts and prevent capable individuals from answering the call to serve.

The Qualified for Service Act creates consistent, medically accurate standards across all branches and commissioning sources. It ensures that applicants are evaluated based on their current health—not a diagnosis they may have received before the age of 13 and haven’t been treated for in over five years. It also establishes a transparent waiver and appeals process, while still upholding the high medical standards our military requires.

Read my full press release here

This legislation was inspired by my constituents—including a promising West Point candidate who was denied admission due to a long-resolved childhood condition. We can’t afford to turn away the next generation of military leaders, especially in the wake of a recruiting crisis that saw the Army miss its goal by nearly 25% under the last administration.

With support from both sides of the aisle, the Qualified for Service Act is a step toward restoring fairness, transparency, and consistency in our military recruitment system—while helping us build the fighting force we need to keep our country safe.

Federal Grant Secured for Early Education Services on the Eastern Shore

I’m proud to share that the Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging (ESAAA) has been awarded $980,510 in Head Start funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last month, I wrote a letter to the Administration for Children and Families in strong support of ESAAA’s application—and I’m grateful that they granted my request.

These funds will be used to provide essential services for families in our district, including early childhood education, health services, and other family support programs that help bring stability to homes across the Eastern Shore. I’ll always advocate for investments that give Virginia’s children a strong start and ensure parents have the tools they need to support their families.

Supporting local, community-based programs like this one isn’t just good policy—it’s a direct investment in the future of our region. This is just one of the many ways I’m working every day to deliver meaningful results for my constituents in VA-02, and I’ll continue fighting for the resources our families deserve.

Honoring Leadership at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command in Portsmouth

This week, members of my team had the honor of attending the Change of Command Ceremony at the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command in Portsmouth, where Captain Brian L. Feldman, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, was formally relieved by Captain Kim Shaughnessy-Granger, Nurse Corps, U.S. Navy.

As a Navy veteran and someone who deeply values the role of military medicine in supporting our service members and their families, I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated professionals at Naval Medical Forces Atlantic. Their work is essential to the readiness and resilience of our armed forces, especially here in Hampton Roads.

I want to thank Captain Feldman for his exemplary leadership and service, and I warmly welcome Captain Shaughnessy-Granger in assuming this critical role as the first individual from the Nurse Corps to take command of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. We are fortunate to have such outstanding leaders guiding one of the nation’s most vital military medical facilities!

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

With summer in full-swing, 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 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

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s poll! When asked whether you support stronger border enforcement—including more physical barriers and personnel—an overwhelming 69.2% of you said YES. That sends a clear message: the people of VA-02 want action to secure our borders and uphold the rule of law.

That’s why I proudly supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a comprehensive package that makes real investments to secure our Southern border. This bill increases funding for thousands of new Border Patrol agents and ICE officers, and it provides the necessary resources to finish building the border wall.

I’ll continue fighting for policies that strengthen our national security, enforce our immigration laws, and protect American communities. Thank you again for making your voice heard.

And now, onto this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor the first ever Medal of Honor Recipient, Lieutenant Jacob Wilson Parrott, of the United States Army (Medal of Honor action date: March 25, 1863).

Born in Fairfield County, Ohio on July 17th, 1843, Lieutenant Parrott joined the United States Army in 1861 during the American Civil War. He joined as a private in Company K, and experienced combat for the first time during the Battle of Ivy Mountain. The next year, Parrott volunteered, along with 21 other men, to take part in a bold raid, which was later called the Great Locomotive Chase. During this raid, they crossed into Confederate lines to hijack a locomotive. As a result, they were captured and taken as prisoners. During their imprisonment, Parrott was brutally beaten over 100 times in an effort to force him to share sensitive information. Eventually, Parrott and 14 others were able to escape, but sadly only six of them made it back safely.

After its creation in 1862, Parrott was the very first Medal of Honor Recipient. He was one of the few men who infiltrated almost 200 miles into southern enemy territory during the Great Locomotive Chase, and due to his bravery, he was presented the Medal by the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Parrott continued to serve and fight for the remainder of the Civil War, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the year 1864. Lieutenant Jacob Wilson Parrott was the first of many brave men and women to be honored and recognized by the United States for their acts of valor.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Dana from Chesapeake in resolving an issue related to a passport with the United States Department of State. After she reached out to my office, we were able to lend a helping hand through the casework process. Thanks for reaching out, Dana...!

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 (linked below) 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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