Friends,

It was a big week in Washington as I passed my first standalone bill off the House floor, voted to root out foreign influence in our higher education system, and chaired a hearing about the VA's concerning lack of background checks on their employees.

But before I dive into all of that...I want to highlight the very special guests I had visit me at the Capitol this week: NINE black lab puppies from American K-9 Interdiction (AK9I) in Carrsville!

These adorable puppies will go on to work with schools, law enforcement, and others in Hampton Roads as explosive, narcotic, and firearm detection dogs to help protect and save lives! As a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, AK9I also does great work with local veterans to provide service and emotional support animals.

They are an approved and authorized provider of vocational rehabilitation training for veterans and have a comprehensive 13-week canine training program that is specially tailored to meet the medical and counseling appointment needs of service-disabled vets suffering from PTSD and TBI.

After stopping by my office (with a lot of visitors coming through my door) I brought my new furry friends to the Capitol building for some much needed emotional support. They were a big hit, as you can see by clicking on the picture below!

Thank you to James Casey and the entire team at AK9I for driving these puppies up from the Second District on Thursday. One of the main reasons for their visit was to begin the socialization process at an early age as they'll be working in crowded schools, airports, and other facilities. I'd like to think we accomplished that goal with countless members from both sides of the aisle coming to greet the dogs that will soon help make VA-02 safer...!

Passing My First Standalone Bill!

On Monday, the House passed my bipartisan Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act with unanimous support!

In Virginia and across the country, caregivers play critical roles in the lives of our veterans. As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I know this genuinely rewarding role comes with immense emotional challenges, as our caretakers often times place the needs of those in their care ahead of their own. That's why I introduced the COPE Act: by establishing VA grant programs for entities that support caregiver mental health and well-being, this bill also positively impacts care for veterans themselves.

I'm very proud that another bill of mine - the bipartisan VA Medical Security Report Act - was included in the version of the COPE Act that passed the House! Unfortunately, the number of violent crimes committed at VA medical facilities has increased from in recent years, despite the number of people at these facilities decreasing by 25-50%. By requiring VA leadership to provide reports that accurately detail the health of VA police forces and security at VA Medical Centers, my bill will help provide veterans with a safe environment to receive the quality healthcare they have earned and deserve.

I'd like to say a very big thank you to my two colleagues across the aisle who joined me on these important measures: fellow Servicewomen and Women Veterans Caucus Co-Chair Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania and fellow House Veterans' Affairs Committee Member Congressman Chris Pappas from New Hampshire. Improving the lives of our nation’s heroes is one of my top priorities in Congress; with the passage of this bill, I'm confident that we just took a step toward achieving that goal.

To learn more about the COPE Act, click here. Last week, I joined WAVY 10 News to discuss my legislation. You can watch that interview by clicking here.

Rooting Out Foreign Influence in our Education System

On Wednesday, I voted for H.R. 5933, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. With the rise of antisemitism and the heightened influence from foreign adversaries on our college campuses, transparency has never been more important. The DETERRENT Act will provide that much-needed transparency, accountability, and clarity to foreign gift reporting requirements for our institutions of higher learning.

Much like their attempt to exert control over U.S. supply chains, raw materials, and intellectual property, China's attempts to influence our education system are particularly nefarious. On day one, our House Majority made a commitment to focus on restoring American strength and get tough on China; the DETERRENT Act helps us do just that.

Specifically, the DETERRENT Act:

• Slashes the foreign gift reporting threshold for colleges and universities from $250,000 down to $50,000, with an even stricter $0 threshold for countries and entities of concern;
• Closes reporting loopholes and provides transparency to Congress, intelligence agencies, and the public, and;
• Requires disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts to individual staff and faculty at research-heavy institutions to protect those targeted the most by our adversaries.

Thank you to Congresswoman Michelle Steel from California for introducing this important legislation! My colleagues and I will continue to explore avenues to fight back against malicious actors' attempts to influence our young minds. To learn more about the DETERRENT Act, click here.

Checking in on Servicemember Mental Health

In October, I had the honor of attending a solemn ceremony to honor all military men and women who we've lost to suicide. Following the ceremony, I was fortunate enough to host Patrick and Teri Caserta in my office. Their son Brandon tragically took his own life at Naval Station Norfolk in 2018. Since then, Patrick and Teri have made it their mission to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our military members. Thanks to their tireless advocacy, the Brandon Act was signed into law on December 27, 2021.

Their efforts have made great strides to improve the mental wellbeing of our servicemembers. In May, the Department of Defense - in accordance with the Brandon Act - gave each branch of the military 45 days to create a system by which servicemembers can anonymously request a mental health evaluation through their command. I'm very happy that they're taking concrete action to implement these changes; however, actions speak louder than words.

Heartbreakingly, our Armed Forces are experiencing the highest suicide rate since before World War II, with military suicides nearly four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations between 2001 and 2021. That's why, last week, I called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin to provide transparency regarding the implementation of the Brandon Act's life-saving policies. While I've not yet received a response, I'm hopeful that the Secretary will provide us with an encouraging update. To learn more, click here.

Addressing the VA's Concerning Background Check Lapse

It is absolutely critical that the VA provides the best possible care and resources for the men and women who served our nation. This week, the Government Accountability Office published an extremely concerning report detailing a major fault with the VA's screening process. Specifically, individuals with prior drug-related felony convictions were being hired by VA Medical Centers to work closely with controlled substances without going through the formal screening process. Not only is this practice incredibly unsafe, it's threatens our veterans' healthcare environment unsafe and actively contributes to the opioid crisis that's touched every corner of our nation. That is unacceptable.

As the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, it is my duty to conduct rigorous reviews of all VA policies, and take action when necessary. In February, the GAO made 14 recommendations to the VA about how they could fix this glaring policy failure. As of last month, they have not instituted these changes.

That's why, on Wednesday, my Subcommittee pressed VA leadership and GAO employees about the recent report. You can watch my line of questioning by clicking on the video below.

I'm confident that Wednesday's hearing will inspire my colleagues at the VA to take swift action to address these shortcomings; otherwise, they'll be sitting in front of my Subcommittee again very soon.

Congressional App Challenge STEM Night

I was proud to have my office participate in the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC), which is the most prestigious student prize in computer science...! This district-specific contest, which is open to middle and high school students, allows students to create and submit their own original apps for judging by Congressional offices. The goal of the Challenge is to encourage students to learn computer programming skills while inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. 

I was so impressed by the submissions my office received that we will be hosting a demonstration and award night next Monday, December 18th, with invitations being extended to CAC participants, their parents, middle and high school students from the 2^nd District enrolled in technology courses, as well as tech-related businesses and universities with strong computer science programs. 

This event, which will take place at the ODU Institute of Data Science, will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their apps to attendees, showcase their innovation and ingenuity, and meet representatives from local technology businesses and universities with strong computer science programs. 

I am excited to announce VA-02's winners at the event and am looking forward to helping spur interest in STEM and computer science with the next generation...! The specific address for the event, which will run from 6-7:30pm is: Armada Hoffler Building, 10^th Floor, 222 Central Park Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, we honor the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lance Corporal Miguel Keith of the U.S. Marine Corps (Medal of Honor action date: May 8th, 1970). 

Miguel Keith was born in San Antonio Texas and attended high school in Omaha, Nebraska. After he withdrew from high school early, Keith enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Omaha on January 21st, 1969 and was discharged on April 30, 1969. The next day, Keith, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Keith was ordered straight to San Diego, California for recruit training on May 2nd, 1969. He completed training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion in July of 1969 and was transferred to the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, California. After completing additional combat training in September of 1969, Keith was deployed to Vietnam, arriving on November 6th, 1969, as a rifleman with the 1st Combined Action Group.

During the morning of May 8th, 1970, Lance Corporal Keith was wounded when his platoon was hit with heavy ground fire from a much larger enemy force. Despite of his wounds, he moved to check the security of the platoon’s defensive positions and proceeded to utilize his machine gun against the enemy. Keith rushed forward to stop the enemy approach of his platoon’s command post, firing as he advanced. Keith was then knocked by a grenade, inflicting more severe wounds, but he continued on, braving hostile fire as he charged an estimated 25 enemies who were massing for an attack. 

As a result of his assault, Lance Corporal Keith forced the Vietcong to retreat for cover, giving his platoon time to prepare defensive positions to defeat the enemy. Keith was mortally wounded during his assault. Had it not been for his valiant effort in the face of almost insurmountable odds, his platoon would have been almost certainly defeated. 

Lance Corporal Miguel Keith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on September 15th, 1971. Keith was born on June 2nd, 1951, in San Antonio, and died May 8th, 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. His Medal of Honor was presented to his family, and he is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

His decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal, and others. He has been immortalized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the Henderson Hall Barracks in Arlington, VA, the USS Miguel Keith, and the Miguel Keith Park and Memorial in Omaha Nebraska.

Five Fast Facts About Virginia!

1. The Virginia National Guard celebrates its 416th birthday this week. It was initially founded in 1607 to protect the Jamestown settlement. 
2. The Atlantic headquarters of NATO is located in Norfolk.
3. The Wren Building at William and Mary is the oldest college building in the U.S.
4. Virginia is home to the third largest seafood producer in the country, and largest on the East Coast!
5. Mountain Dew was invented in Southwest Virginia.

I'll be back in Washington this week for our final legislative week of 2023. I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by!

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!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District