Friends,

Before we begin this week's Weekly Debrief, I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge the deadly crash at Reagan National Airport this week and honor the victims who were killed. The families of the passengers, crew, and military personnel who lost their lives are in my prayers. When disaster strikes, Americans come together to support one another. There is a long road ahead for the loved ones of the victims, and we must work to uplift them during this unfathomable loss.

Our nation is fortunate to have the safest aviation industry in the world, but as we saw Wednesday evening, it is not immune to accidents. Currently, the best investigators in the world are working to uncover the facts. I am closely monitoring new information from the NTSB and FAA as they work to determine how this tragedy occurred, provide answers to the American people, and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. 

As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I know how dangerous routine flying and training can be, especially in a heavily trafficked airspace. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to seeking additional details from the DoD and achieving accountability for all those impacted.

On Thursday, I joined WTKR to discuss the crash and how this tragedy is a wakeup call for both civilian and military aviation - you can watch below.

Last week was a district work period, meaning I was home in Hampton Roads hearing directly from constituents about the issues they would like to see Congress tackle. It is always refreshing to be home in the district, before heading back to Washington to get back to work in our nation's Capitol! Now, on to the Weekly Debrief.

Meeting With Our Local Ship Repair Industry

Our local ship repair industry is vital both to our Navy fleet's strength and our local economy. In total, it contributes more than $10.9 billion to our local economy and supports more than 79,000 jobs right here in Virginia. When our ship repair community succeeds, Hampton Roads succeeds.

Last week, I visited with the team at Anchor Innovation in Virginia Beach to hear more about the work they are doing to provide maintenance services to the fleet as well as how they are implementing next-generation warfighting technologies.

During my visit, I learned that Anchor Innovation also works with our Sailors and Marines to develop strategies to better navigate and utilize our Navy's vessels in wartime. Thank you to the entire Anchor Innovation Team for taking the time out of your busy schedule to host me and talk about your important work!

Fighting to Give Our Aging Veterans a Voice

Last week, I introduced my second bill of the 119th Congress... the Representing Our Seniors at VA Act! My bipartisan bill aims to address the lack of advocacy for our veterans who reside in assisted living facilities.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly convenes experts on its Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee to advise on policies and create best practices to care for our aging veterans within the VA. However, at this time the VA does not include a representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes. This means that an advocate from one of the largest providers of assisted living care for our veterans is currently left out of the conversation...

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand how our seniors living in nursing homes can suffer negative health outcomes because of a lack of advocacy in government. Leaving advocates for these American heroes out of the conversation is unacceptable and harmful to the long-term health of our veterans.

My Representing Our Seniors at VA Act would reform the VA’s Advisory Committee to ensure a representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes has a seat at the table. I look forward to using my voice as a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to secure this much-needed advocacy and improve the quality of care for our Greatest Generation in assisted living facilities.

Visiting Old Friends in the Virginia General Assembly

On Wednesday, I made the trip up to the State Capitol in Richmond to meet with old friends in the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate...! Serving in the Virginia Senate was a great honor and it was awesome to be back for meetings with my former colleagues.

As your representative in Washington, I am privileged to work with state and local lawmakers on your behalf to collaborate on issues ensuring Virginia remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family!

The General Assembly is in session for the next few weeks. Just like in Congress, your input helps to guide the work of your elected officials in Richmond. If you would like to contact your Virginia State Delegate or Senator, you can get in touch with them here.

On Air: Restoring Peace Through Strength

If you're like me, most morning commutes in Hampton Roads are spent listening to the radio. One of my favorite shows on air is the Kerry & Mike Show on WTAR 96.5RM...!

On Friday morning, I called into their show to provide updates on our busy last month in Congress. We talked about a variety of topics including the recent tragedy at Reagan National Airport, how our House majority will restore our economy, my work on veterans' issues, and how Congress and the Department of Defense need to rethink the way we approach our national defense.

Over the past weeks, there has been a lot of talk about returning to peace through strength. The best way to accomplish that goal is to invest in our military. That means continuing to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families, ending woke policies that reduce readiness, and increasing our defense budget to strengthen our fleet and capability to respond to our adversaries.

Thank you to Mike and Kerry for having me on!

Touring the New Chesapeake Outpatient VA Clinic

When talking to veterans around the Second District who receive care through the VA, one of the most common complaints I hear about is the struggle to get across the river to get to the Hampton VA. Our region is home to impressive infrastructure, but as everyone from our area knows – that doesn't cut down on traffic across the water.

For roughly a decade, the VA has been constructing a new clinic on the south side of the river to cut down on travel times and increase access to care for our veterans. I recently stopped by the North Battlefield Outpatient VA Clinic in Chesapeake to visit with their staff and learn more about the care they will provide for their patients once the facility is completed in April.

It was a very informative visit to a much-needed facility that will improve care for our region's veterans. I was joined by acting Hampton VA Medical Center Director Walt Dannenberg, who took the reins at the facility after patient safety concerns and whistleblower retaliation were uncovered in the Congressional investigation I led last year. I am glad to see much-needed reforms begin to be implemented.

The Chesapeake VA Clinic will provide a variety of care to veterans including primary care, social work, mental healthcare, some specialty care, laboratory services, and a pharmacy. Stay tuned for more information about the official opening of this exciting new resource for our local veterans!

Meeting with the Residents at Aviva Pembroke

Earlier this month, Virginia Beach's newest senior living facility opened its doors in Town Center. While I was unfortunately unable to attend the formal ribbon cutting, I was able to tour the facility last week and visit with the new residents.

Before serving in Congress, I worked in various assisted living facilities as a geriatric nurse practitioner. It is always a pleasure when I get to visit with the residents at these homes. These incredible facilities do so much to help our seniors age with grace and dignity...! Congratulations on your recent opening and thank you so much for hosting me the other day!

Weekly Poll

With nearly 1,500 responses last week, over 70% of you said that you agreed with the use of U.S. servicemembers to secure our southern border. I agree with you...! I am grateful that border security is once again being prioritized by our country. Thank you to all of the active-duty servicemembers currently deployed to promote our national security. We are grateful for your service to our great country.

And now, on to this week's poll question...!

This week, the House is set to vote on H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, which would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. This classification would help to cut down on fentanyl-related deaths by allowing law enforcement to act and keep these dangerous substances off our streets.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Pfc. William Bernard Baugh of the U.S. Marine Corps (Medal of Honor action date: November 29, 1950). 

William Baugh was born on July 7, 1930 in McKinney, Kentucky. In his early teenage years, his family moved to Ohio where he enrolled in public school. He also began working his first job at the Harrison Shoe Corporation. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 23, 1948. 

He completed his recruit training in South Carolina and was then stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Pfc. Baugh was eventually transferred into the 1st Marine Division and deployed to Korea. Early in the Korean War, he participated in famous American campaigns such as the Inchon landing, capture of Seol, as well as the Wonsan and Chosin Reservoir campaigns. 

During the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, on November 29, 1950, Pfc. Baugh served in an Anti-Tank Assault Squad attached to the 1st Marine Division. During a nighttime raid against a North Korean motorized column. During their attack, a hostile hand grenade landed in his truck as he and his squad prepared to alight and assist in the repulse of an enemy force delivering intense automatic-weapons and grenade fire from deeply entrenched and well-concealed roadside positions. 

He quickly shouted a warning to the other Marines in the vehicle and, unmindful of his personal safety, hurled himself upon the grenade saving his comrades serious injury or possible death. His heroic actions resulted in severe wounding from which he died a short time afterward,

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor which was given to his parents on August 27th, 1952 in Dayton, Ohio. He is buried at Glen Haven Cemetery located in Harrison, Ohio. He was one of three servicemembers from Ohio to receive the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1999. 

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office was able to assist Sean from Virginia Beach resolve an issue getting his children's passports through the State Department. After reaching out to my office, we were able to assist him navigate the process and successfully get their children their passports.

If you need assistance securing a passport or with another 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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