Friends,

Last Tuesday (August 15) marked the two year anniversary of our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Like many of you, I watched in disbelief as the situation unfolded before our eyes and turned into chaos.

I saw the same images of civilians desperately trying to flee the Taliban's rapid advance, some of whom even tried to hang onto the sides of our aircraft before falling to their deaths. I felt the same pain and anger when 13 of our young servicemembers were killed at the Kabul Airport bombing on August 26, 2021. We are still mourning their loss today - as well as the loss of every man and woman in uniform who died serving their country in Afghanistan - which is why I continue to push for answers and call for accountability.

The President’s choice to ignore military and intelligence advisors about the speed and nature of the Taliban offensive, his failure to present a coherent counterterrorism or evacuation plan to the American people, and the death toll and damage done to our nation’s credibility as a result of the abandonment of our vulnerable Afghan allies...this is what failed leadership looks like. Tragically, it caused countless and unnecessary costs and will be remembered for years to come by our allies and our enemies alike.

Our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan - and the subsequent fallout - is one of the biggest events that drove me to come to Congress; the same can be said for many of my fellow freshman veterans. The lack of leadership and ill-advised decision making that were displayed throughout our chaotic exit are NOT representative of our great nation. Our Armed Forces are strong; in fact, they are the best in the world. Like millions of other Americans, I am incredibly proud of my own service, my family's service, and the military we served in.

I can assure you that I will continue to fight for legislation that strengthens our military and gives our men and women in uniform the tools and resources they need to successfully and safely complete their mission.

Visiting VA-02's State-of-the-Art Transplant Facility

On Wednesday, I visited LifeNet Health...! Located right here in Virginia Beach, LifeNet Health's mission of "Saving Lives. Restoring Health. Giving Hope." is evident in every aspect of their operation. On my tour, I got a firsthand look at the innovative organ and tissue transplant research and procedures conducted at their facility.

Originally founded as Eastern Virginia Tissue Bank in 1982, over 10 million transplants using their sterilization method have been successfully completed since 1995 with zero disease transmission...! Those incredible numbers are a testament to their rigorous standards and unwavering commitment to the patient population they serve. Our community is fortunate to benefit from the great work they do!

A Day on the Shore!

On Tuesday morning, I held another "Coffee with the Congresswoman" at my Eastern Shore District Office in Onley! Hosting these events for Southeast Virginians is one of my favorite parts of my job; it was great to see some old friends and make a lot of new ones! We were also lucky enough to have delicious donuts from Onancock's Corner Bakery - supporting local businesses and connecting with the local community all in one morning. Thank you so much to everyone who attended...!

If you couldn't join us on Thursday morning and still have questions or concerns about what's happening in Washington, don't worry! You can always call my office at (202) 451-1405 or visit my website to let me know what's on your mind.

After our Coffee, I headed to Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area for a quick lunch and briefing before touring the Chesapeake WILD Grant project site with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Ducks Unlimited, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Choose Clean Water Coalition...!

I'm incredibly proud that Doe Creek will be the first recipient of this federal grant, which will bolster efforts to conserve and improve the conditions of our Chesapeake Bay fish and wildlife habitats. As the Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee's Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee, I will continue to support legislation that protects and improves our invaluable Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Doe Creek's 447 acres of land are home to a number of species of wildlife and fish, as well as a favorite spot for hunters, fishers, and outdoorsmen. I'm happy that federal grants and programs - like Chesapeake WILD - will allow this area - and others like it - to continue to flourish!

Lowering Healthcare Costs

As many of you may know, I am proud to serve as the Vice Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus, which means that finding ways to lower healthcare costs is one of my top priorities in Washington. That's why I recently cosponsored H.R. 830, the bipartisan Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act.

Introduced by my colleague Buddy Carter from Georgia, the HELP Copays Act will reduce costs for consumers around the country by prohibiting "copay accumulator" schemes that can costs patients thousands of dollars per year. Our Commonwealth is leading on this issue, as Virginia is 1 of 19 states that have already banned this predatory practice.

Traditionally, when a copay card is used to purchase medication, the manufacturer's payment/assistance is counted toward the deductible. However, when insurance plans feature a "copay accumulator", this assistance is not applied toward the deductible, meaning that when the copay card runs out of funds patients are left responsible for both the deductible and the maximum out-of-pocket cost. Unfortunately, these programs often lead to Americans abandoning or delaying their treatment due to how unaffordable the payments can become.

I'm glad to join this bipartisan group of colleagues to ensure every American enjoys the protections that Virginians do when enrolling in health insurance plans and purchasing medication!

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Charles G. Abrell (Medal of Honor action date: June 10th, 1951). 

Corporal Abrell enlisted in the Marines on August 17th, 1948. He finished his training in South Carolina and was assigned as a rifleman to Camp Lejuene in North Carolina. In 1950, he was deployed to Kobe, Japan to fight in the Inchon Invasion as a fire team leader for Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Corporal Abrell displayed extraordinary gallantry during an engagement against fortified enemy positions. Despite sustaining injuries from enemy grenades, he fearlessly led a charge against a heavily fortified hostile bunker, rallying his comrades to follow suit. He incurred mortal injuries while removing the safety pin from a hand grenade and entering the bunker, leading to a detonation that eliminated the enemy gun crew.

His selfless bravery and resolute initiative not only served as a source of inspiration to his fellow soldiers but also played a pivotal role in the successful attainment of the platoon's objectives. Corporal Abrell's actions are emblematic of the highest standards upheld by the U.S. Naval Service, and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his nation.

Corporal Charles Gene Abrell's actions went above the call of duty at the risk of his own life and was thus posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Secretary of the of the Navy Dan A. Kimball on September 4th, 1952. He was born on August 12th, 1931 in Terre Haute, Indiana and is buried at Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is accredited to Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, and was presented to his mother during a ceremony at the Pentagon.

Five Fast Facts About Virginia Beach!

1. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival's Boardwalk Weekend is an annual celebration of the culture of Virginia Beach, VA...!
2. The first Virginia Beach Neptune Festival took place in 1974, with Fred Napolitano serving as the first Festival president.
3. Today, Neptune Festival produces over 40 events in Virginia Beach each year and has become one of the Country’s Top 100 Festivals and Top 10 on the East Coast, bringing thousands of visitors to the Boardwalk!
4. Charitable organizations also play an important role in the Neptune Festivals, with partnerships with both local corporations and organizations such as the Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Beach Jaycees, and the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, the Festival gives over $100,000 back to the community.
5. Boardwalk Weekend draws more than 400,000 people, including visitors from other countries.

I'll be in Southeast Virginia this week as our District Work Period rolls on. Hope to see you around!

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my D.C. 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