Friends,

The House started the month off strong this week! We voted on a few suspension bills, I hosted a productive telephone town hall, I met with various groups, and I even got the chance to go to Boston and speak at Harvard Business School with some of my Congressional colleagues.

Read more about it below in my Weekly Debrief...!

Hosting a Telephone Town Hall

On Wednesday, I hosted a productive telephone town hall for the people of Virginia’s Second District, with over 2,500 people joining from Smithfield to Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore. With Tax Day approaching on April 15th, I invited a local IRS tax advocate to help answer any questions callers had about their taxes before the filing deadline. The local IRS advocate shared helpful tips and insights and helped guide callers through concerns regarding tax filing and avoiding tax scams.

Apart from taxes, I answered questions regarding veterans, healthcare, the economy, national security, and more. I also outlined some of my legislative priorities this Congress, which include revitalizing shipbuilding, providing greater funding for our military, improving military quality of life, unleashing domestic energy production through an all-of-the-above energy approach, and holding the VA accountable.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to join my telephone town hall last night – especially those busy with families, school, work, and other responsibilities. While we may not always see eye to eye on every single issue, I will always lend a listening ear and respect everyone’s right to voice their opinion. As a Navy veteran, geriatric nurse practitioner, and mom of four, I strive to bring a real-world perspective to Washington and work across the political aisle to deliver commonsense results for Virginia’s Second District. Hearing directly from the hardworking people I represent makes me a better legislator, and I look forward to hosting another telephone town hall very soon...!

Town Hall Poll Results

During my telephone town hall, we asked the audience three poll questions regarding the state of our nation. Please find the poll results below...!

Meeting with NAVSEA about Shipbuilding

On Monday, I met with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to discuss growing our fleet, tackling maintenance delays, and strengthening America’s shipbuilding efforts. The largest of the Navy's five systems commands, NAVSEA engineers build and support America's fleet of ships and combat systems.

With support from the Administration and the new Office of Shipbuilding, I’m pushing for bold changes to deliver more ships, support our shipyards, and keep our Navy mission-ready.

This work matters – to our national security and to the people of Virginia's Second District.

Standing up for More Service Dogs

On Thursday morning, I joined my colleagues outside of the Capitol for a press conference in support of Congressman Morgan Luttrell's Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act.



This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist with programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. This bill includes training for the service dog and extends the availability of this program to other veteran disabilities, such as blind, deaf, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), military sexual trauma, paralysis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As co-chair of the bipartisan Working Dogs Caucus, getting more service dogs in the hands of our veterans is an issue I am incredibly passionate about. These K9s are more than just man’s best friend – they are lifelines for veterans across America! I was proud to stand next to my colleagues in support of this lifesaving legislation.

Talking Energy Security at SAFE Summit

This week, I had the pleasure of joining an outstanding panel on energy abundance at SAFE Summit 2025! I talked about why I support an all-of-the-above energy approach that will restore our energy independence and lower energy costs for Virginians. As someone who represents one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, I know that energy security is national security. Our military can’t project power globally if it can’t power up at home.

Military readiness starts at home, with a stable energy grid. Ensuring abundant, resilient energy supplies is foundational to force readiness, training, and rapid deployment.

I’m proud to champion policies that build resilient, secure energy systems at our bases and beyond. Let’s keep pushing for smarter permitting reform and robust infrastructure to keep our forces mission-ready. 

Speaking at Harvard Business School

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak on the bipartisan Harvard & MIT National Security Conference Congressional Panel! I was joined on stage by Congressmen Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Pat Ryan (NY-18).

We discussed issues related to military readiness, defense technology integration, and challenges to product procurement and acquisition. We even talked about challenges facing local bases like Naval Station Norfolk, and ways to bolster our shipbuilding industry and modernize our facilities.

I always love being back in Boston (fun fact: I graduated from Boston University...!) It was an honor to speak with my colleagues about important issues impacting our national security.

Weekly Poll

With over 1,700 responses last week, over 75% of you said you think Americans should be required to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Personally, I'm supportive of showing proof of citizenship if you're voting in United States elections. Stay tuned... the House will be debating this issue soon when we vote on the SAVE Act!

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

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, First Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith Jr. Monteith was born July 1, 1917, in Low Moor, Virginia. When Monteith was 9, his family moved to Richmond. Monteith attended Virginia Tech University, where his father and brother both went. He studied mechanical engineering and was a member of the Corps of Cadets, where he was known to have a good sense of humor.

In October 1941, Monteith was drafted into the Army. He earned a commission as an infantry officer by June 1942 and was sent to serve at Fort McClellan, Alabama. In April 1943, Monteith was shipped overseas to Algeria with the 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. In December 1943, the 1st Infantry Division was on its way to England to prepare for the Invasion of Normandy — an effort that would include more than 160,000 Allied forces to become the largest air, land and sea assault ever executed.  

On June 6, 1944 — D-Day — Monteith landed in the initial wave of troops near Colleville-Sur-Mer, France, known as Omaha Beach, but a lot of problems hampered their arrival. Monteith and his fellow soldiers in L Company were on one of the boats that didn't hit their mark, instead landing 500 yards to the left of its targeted landing zone. However, according to the museum, the company was still one of only eight in that initial wave to remain operational as a unit. And under Monteith's leadership, they excelled despite the odds. As soon as they landed, Monteith disregarded his own safety to move up and down the beach, reorganizing men before leading an assault through heavy fire over a ledge and across exposed terrain before reaching the comparative safety of a cliff. 

He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where two tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain.

When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Robert from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue he was having receiving a military award certificate. After he reached out to my office, we were able to help him obtain what he needed. Thanks for reaching out, Robert...!

If you need assistance with 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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