Friends,

Last week was a busy week in Washington, D.C.! We voted on several pieces of important legislation, including the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which urges the swift delivery of defense weapons to Israel. The House also voted on legislation to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal aliens who assault law enforcement officers, and a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. I was proud to vote in favor of these bills...you can read more about them below:

Security Assistance for Israel

The biggest vote I took last week was in favor of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would require the Biden Administration to deliver Congressional-approved munitions to Israel and reaffirm Israel's right to self-defense. By choosing to withhold critical military aid and creating daylight between us and our closest ally in the Middle East, the Biden administration has led our adversaries to believe that we are willing to abandon our friends.

We cannot let this happen. If enacted, this legislation will compel the delivery of critical munitions and approved defense articles to Israel, allowing them to fight back against Hamas. Additionally, it will withhold funds from the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the National Security Council until suspended defense supplies are delivered.

I will continue to do everything in my power to equip Israel with the resources it needs to defend itself, destroy Hamas, and restore peace in the region. At a time when Israeli and American citizens continue to be held hostage by Hamas terrorists, Israel is facing increased attacks, and campus demonstrations around the U.S. are empowering antisemitic aggression, this legislation reassures the world that America stands with our allies.

Securing Federal Funding for Virginia Beach Police!

While at home in Hampton Roads, I visited the Virginia Beach Police Department Creeds Training Facility in honor of National Police Week! During my visit, I presented the police department with a check for $693,000 in federal funding, which I secured earlier this year. This funding will help provide significant improvements and expansions to their advanced training facility.

Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect us and our families. It’s only right to support them as they work to keep our communities safe. I am proud to back the blue in Congress and will continue to do everything I can to ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to serve our community with courage, dedication, and strength!

A New Operations Center for U.S. Fleet Forces

Before heading back to Washington for the week, I participated in a ribbon cutting with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Fleet Forces Command to open their new Operations Center! The John "Bag" Hefti Global LVC Operations Center will be a 40,000 square foot space that will be able to host large scale exercises as soon as 2025. The live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training exercises conducted there will advance military tactics and expertise. The John "Bag" Hefti Global LVC Operations Center is named after the retired Navy pilot and former director of fleet and joint training at Fleet Forces, who was killed in a car crash in 2021.

Our nation’s military is the strongest in the world, but to be the strongest, we must continue to invest in our military operations and facilities. Military men and women will be able to train for real-world situations using this improved and emerging technology, and they will have an incredible new space to do so! I can’t wait to see what the U.S. Navy and U.S. Fleet Forces Command will be able to accomplish with the addition of this new Operation Center!

Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers and Their Families

Last week, I also spoke at the PepsiCo and Children of Fallen Patriots "Rolling Remembrance" stop in Washington, D.C...! The relay is 14,000+ miles long and is made up of 55 PepsiCo drivers traveling across the country to honor military children who have lost their parent in the line of duty. The funds they raise provide more than 2,800 Gold Star children with college scholarships.

I served our country as a Navy helicopter pilot for 10 years. I’m also the granddaughter of a veteran, the daughter of a veteran, the wife of a veteran, and the mother of future veterans… We owe those who who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to country and the families they leave behind an eternal debt of gratitude. As a nation, we have the responsibility to step up and support our Gold Star families. I was proud to attend the event and help ensure the children of our fallen servicemembers have access to critical educational opportunities.

Thank you to PepsiCo and to the Children of Fallen Patriots for organizing "Rolling Remembrance" every year, and a BIG thank you to all the drivers who served in the military and participated in the 14,000 mile relay to get this flag here to our nation’s capital! Your efforts not only honor the valor and the sacrifice of our fallen servicemembers, but are also giving their children a great gift and investing in the future of our nation.

Recognizing Hampton Roads' Talented Artists!

I recently had the pleasure to recognize the winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition! We had more than 70 talented students in Virginia's Second District submit their artwork to this year's contest. It was a hard decision to make, but I was proud to announce Alex Hudson as the winner of this year's competition! Alex is currently in his senior year at Catholic High School and won with his piece titled Waves of Freedom.

I want to thank each and every student for their thoughtful and creative submissions. We have some amazing student artists here in Hampton Roads, and I couldn’t be prouder of them! Congratulations to all the winners. I can’t wait to see your artwork hanging in the U.S. Capitol and all of my offices!

Here are the students who were announced as runners-up:

• Fatima Huezo-Menendez from Salem High School was awarded second place for her work titled Stages of My Roses
• Alexis Lee from Landstown High School was awarded third place for her work titled Hawaiian Dream
• Lauren Eichman from Nansemond River High School received the “People’s Choice Award” for her piece titled Green Rose
• Nathan Jones from the Nansemond River High School received the “Spouse’s Choice Award” for his piece titled Emjay
• Kylee Scott from The Governor’s School for the Arts received the “Chief’s Choice Award” for her piece titled The Little Drummer Boy

Weekly Poll

With 994 votes last week, nearly 70% of you said that you disapproved of President Biden's plan to withold military aid to Israel. I agree with you, which is why I was proud to vote for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. This bill which passed the House by a vote of 224 to 187. If signed into law, this legislation would:

• Compel the expeditious delivery of approved defense articles and services to Israel, including third-party deliveries;
• Withhold funds from the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the National Security Council until suspended defense articles are delivered;
• Condemn the Biden Administration’s dangerous decision to pause arms as Israel faces unprecedented threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran;
• Reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense;
• Uphold the power of the purse and oversight responsibilities of Congress; and
• Require a report on actions taken by the Executive Branch to withhold security assistance and therefore impede Israel’s ability to defend itself.

And now on to this week's poll question! Please click one of the buttons below to share your opinion.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

Paul Foster was born on April 17, 1939 in San Mateo, California. Foster grew up in San Mateo and attended highschool there and was on his highschool’s varsity football and track team. Foster graduated from his highschool in 1957 and upon graduating, he went to work as an automobile mechanic helper. 

This was his occupation until November 4, 1961 when Foster enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in San Francisco, California. Paul received his recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Later, he received individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

After completion of combat training in March 1962, Foster joined the 5th 105 mm Howitzer Battery which was a Reserve unit located at Navy and Marine Corps Training Center Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. Foster continued his career in the Marine Corps on inactive duty and during this time he climbed the ranks and was promoted to private first class in March 1963, Lance Corporal in August 1963; Corporal in April 1964, and finally to Sergeant on February 1, 1966.

Foster was called to active duty in November 1966. Once on active duty, Sgt Foster embarked for the Republic of Vietnam, and in December, joined Company H, 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. While overseas, Foster was serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines in Operation Kingfisher near Con Thien at Wash Out Bridge. 

In the early morning hours his battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien to Cam Lo. Suddenly, the marines' position came under a heavy volume of mortar and artillery fire, followed by an aggressive enemy ground assault. In the ensuing engagement, the hostile forces penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of small-arms, automatic-weapons, and rocket fire to bear on the battalion command post. Although his position in the fire support coordination center was dangerously exposed to enemy fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near his position, Sgt. Foster resolutely continued to direct accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North Vietnamese troops. 

As the attack continued, a hand grenade landed in the midst of Sgt. Foster and his five companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sgt. Foster absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. Sgt. Foster's courage, extraordinary heroism, and unfaltering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. 

The Medal of Honor was presented to his family by President Richard M. Nixon, in a ceremony at the White House on June 20, 1969. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Francisco.  

Fun Fact of the Week!

Last week was National Police Week…! It originally began in 1962, when then President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The event has continued to grow since then, expanding to the entire week and hosting tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world. Law Enforcement Officers and other guests participate in a number of planned events to honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. One of these events is “The Road to Hope,” during which hundreds of police officers ride bikes from Chesapeake to Washington D.C.! Huge thank you to all those who choose to wear the badge to keep our communities safe!!

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!

If you or your family are visiting Washington DC in the coming summer 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