Friends,

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving last week and that you all were able to celebrate the holiday with friends, family, loved ones and great food!! We have so much to be thankful for living in the greatest nation on earth...!

After two back-to-back weeks in DC, I spent the past week in Hampton Roads visiting with family, friends, and Virginians. Read more below for this week's debrief!

Need Help with Medicare Open Enrollment?

As the only geriatric nurse practitioner in Congress, I know that Medicare is a vital program for millions of Americans over the age of 65. That's why I wanted to ensure all our seniors know that Medicare Open Enrollment ends on Saturday, December 7th...! During open enrollment, seniors can join, drop, or change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

If you need to make changes to your existing Medicare coverage, make sure you act quickly! My office is able to assist with navigating this process. If you need assistance be sure to visit https://www.Kiggans.house.gov/agencies for help! You can also read more about Medicare options at their website here.

Safeguarding Virginia's Coastlines!

Over Thanksgiving week, I'm proud to report that my bipartisan legislation, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act, was signed into law! The BEACH Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously on September 24, 2024, and passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on November 19, 2024, will help us protect Virginia's coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).

CBRA was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, and it employs a free-market approach to coastal conservation: banning most federal tax dollars from being used to develop or rebuild on storm prone, ecologically sensitive coastal areas, helping preserve not only wildlife habitats, but also essential buffers against storms and flooding.

In April of 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified 96,435 additional acres in Virginia to include in the Coastal Barrier Resources System, including 1,422 of land and 95,013 acres of wetlands and estuarine areas. My bill provides the congressional approval required for these maps and related protections to go into effect!

For 40 years, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act has protected millions of acres of beaches and wetlands, prevented billions of dollars in property damage from natural disasters, and undoubtedly saved lives. With the BEACH Act as law of the land, I am confident Americans can continue to be good stewards of both our environment and taxpayer dollars.

We owe it to ourselves and the generations after us to take care of the world we live in. You can view the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed changes to the CBRA System in Virginia’s 2nd District here. You can read the full text of the BEACH Act here.

Announcing the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore!

I recently had the privilege of attending the kickoff of the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES)! The AAES is an exciting collaboration between Accomack County Public Schools and Northampton County Public Schools, in partnership with my alma mater, Old Dominion University (ODU). This new academy will provide high school and dual-enrollment courses as part of the Eastern Shore Lab and will increase access to aerospace education, engineering, and information systems career pathways for students.

It is so important for students to have access to classes focused on vocational skills as they prepare for future careers. This new program will give students on the Eastern Shore opportunities to build their skills in a hands-on environment. I look forward to seeing all of the amazing things that come out of the AAES, and I can't wait to see what these students go on to achieve...!

Advocating for Myotonic Dystrophy

Did you know that myotonic dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, affects more than 150,000 people in the United States? Myotonic dystrophy is the most common type of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, and often requires a variety of treatments, including medication, therapies, and assistive devices.

Recently, I was honored to receive the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation's Congressional Advocacy Award. I am proud to advocate for those with myotonic dystrophy and their families, and have cosponsored legislation aimed at helping those who care for family members with chronic conditions. Bills like the Credit for Caring Act, which offers a tax credit for eligible individuals who spend personal dollars on services for family members requiring long-term care, is an important way we can help those with myotonic dystrophy. Together we can work to develop ways to prevent and treat this chronic condition.

Improving the Health and Safety of Military Housing

One of my top priorities in Congress has been ensuring our military men and women have a quality of life deserving of their service. In 2023, the Army found mold in more than 2,000 of its facilities after a service-wide inspection. This, combined with servicemembers reporting emergency room visits due to respiratory issues attributed to the presence of mold in barracks, is incredibly concerning.

That's why I was proud to cosponsor the Healthy at Home on Base Act, a bill to support servicemembers and their families by improving research on toxic mold in military housing on base. Our men and women in uniform deserve a quality of living that rewards their service and dedication to our country.

It's unacceptable that those who serve our country in uniform are often forced to live in housing with toxic mold. The Healthy at Home on Base Act would instate construction requirements for new housing on military installations so that servicemembers and their families are not becoming sick from preventable causes like toxic mold. Additionally, this legislation will create better habitability standards in barracks on military bases across the country.

It is a privilege to advocate for our servicemembers and their families...!

Weekly Poll

With over 900 responses this week, over 60% of you said that your Thanksgiving meal is costing you more this year. I agree with you - I have noticed how food prices continue to increase. That's why I continue to advocate for our legislation in Congress to tackle inflation!

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

Recently, there has been an uptick in political violence against elected officials. Last week, several threats were made against political nominees and sitting Members of Congress, including threats of swatting and bomb threats.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral (RADM) Richard N. Antrim United States Navy (Medal of Honor Action Date: April, 1942)

RADM Richard Antrim was born in Peru, Indiana on December 17, 1907. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931 and was commissioned as an ensign. RADM Antrim served tours of duty on the auxiliaries USS Salinas and USS Nitro and the cruiser USS Trenton. 

In 1936, RADM Antrim was assigned to the USS Portland which was undergoing final fitting out before commissioning followed. This was followed by a brief assignment to the minesweeper USS Crowninshield. In 1938, RADM Antrim earned his wings when he qualified as a pilot of airships and free floating balloons. Following qualification, RADM Antrim was assigned first to the minesweeper USS Bittern in 1938 and then to the destroyer USS Pope (DD-212) as the executive officer in 1939. 

After U.S. entry into World War II in 1941, RADM Antrim and the USS Pope deployed to the Pacific and fought in three early battles against the Japanese. RADM Antrim was credited with damaging several Japanese ships due to his expert targeting and command of the destroyer’s weapons. Following the Battle of Badung Strait, RADM Antrim was given an enthusiastic recommendation for a command of his own and recommended for a commendation which the Navy decided was to be a Navy Cross. Following the Allied defeat at the Battle of the Java Sea, USS Pope attempted to escape the Japanese but was ultimately caught and sunk by Japanese aircraft and ships. RADM Antrim, despite being wounded, assisted in gathering the life rafts and distributing the supplies available on the life rafts. They were ultimately captured after being adrift at sea for three days.

RADM Antrim was taken to Makassar, Celebes Islands in April, 1942. While a prisoner, RADM witnessed a Japanese guard beating another U.S. prisoner and sought to intervene on his behalf. RADM Antrim implored the Japanese guards to beat him instead of the other U.S. Prisoner who had been beaten unconscious. This action elicited loud acclaim from the other Allied prisoners and earned him and the other prisoners a modicum of respect from his Japanese captors. RADM Antrim’s actions were credited with significantly improving the living conditions of the Allied prisoners. RADM Antrim was placed in charge of a prisoner labor detail charged with digging trenches to provide protection from Allied air raids. He asked for and was given approval to adjust the plans for digging of the trenches, digging them in the shape of a giant U.S. to indicate who was present at the installation. 

RADM Antrim remained a prisoner of war through the conclusion of World War II and was repatriated to the United States following the end of the conflict. RADM Antrim received the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for his actions protecting the fellow prisoner from being beaten to death in a ceremony at the White House on January 30, 1947. He was also awarded a Bronze Star for his actions digging the U.S. shaped trenches. RADM Antrim served in the Navy until his retirement on April 1, 1954. He was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the retired list due to his combat awards earned as a prisoner of war. RADM Antrim died at the age of 61 on March 1, 1969 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The frigate USS Antrim (FFG-20) was named in his honor and served from 1981 to 1996. 

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government... Recently, my office was able to assist William from Virginia Beach with the Department of Veterans Affairs. My office was able to help him communicate with the VA to remedy his disability claim and ensure he can receive the benefits he earned in service to our country...!

If you need assistance with your veteran benefits 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, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming fall months, please stop by to say hello! If you are interested in a tour, please let us know!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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