Friends,

Welcome back to another Weekly Debrief! Last week, I was in Washington, D.C. to vote on several important pieces of legislation, including H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which funds our Department of Defense. Additionally, we voted on legislation to fund to fund our Departments of State and Homeland Security. I was proud to vote in favor of all of these bills...you can read more about them below:

Funding Our Nation's Defense Systems

The highlight of the week was the passage of H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025. A lot of hard work went into this legislation, which strategically refocuses the Pentagon on its core mission: supporting our servicemembers and their families and delivering combat-ready military forces that can maintain peace through strength...!

In total, this legislation includes a one percent increase for our nation’s defense. I believe this is insufficient and more is needed to ensure our military can remain the best in the world. However, while reflecting the budget caps that are law of the land, today’s bill still takes real and important steps toward enhancing our military capabilities, supporting our servicemembers and their families, prioritizing modernization efforts to keep up with our adversaries, supporting our allies, and training and equipping our warfighters.

I am particularly proud of the pay increase for our servicemembers included in this legislation. If this bill is signed into law, all 150,200 of Virginia’s servicemembers would see a 4.5% pay increase, and junior enlisted members would see an additional 15% pay increase…! At a time when we are facing a military recruitment and retention crisis, we can’t afford not to prioritize compensation for those who selflessly serve our country.

I came to Congress determined to give our military men and women the resources, tools, and support they need to carry out their mission and protect our country. Of all the responsibilities given to Congress by the Constitution, providing for our common defense is the greatest. The world is a dangerous place right now and our national defense must be our top priority. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, military spouse, and mother to children who serve, I was proud to support this bill and will continue to be the loudest voice in Congress for our military men and women!

You can read the full legislation here.

Chairman Rogers Visits Hampton Roads

Last week, I had the privilege to welcome House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers to Hampton Roads! Chairman Rogers brought a bipartisan group including Congressmen Rob Wittman and Joe Courtney on the Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip. We visited multiple military installations and unaccompanied housing locations to gain a deeper understanding of quality-of-life issues confronting America’s Armed Forces.

It was an honor to host Chairman Rogers in Hampton Roads where he could meet some of Hampton Roads' servicemembers, including the sailors of the USS Ford who answered the call to support our ally Israel following the attacks on October 7th. It was also important for him to see the real-world impacts of our work on the House Armed Services Committee at Naval Station Norfolk and NAS Oceana.

Southeast Virginia is home to several of our nation’s most important military installations and will continue to play a critical role in keeping our country safe. The men and women in uniform stationed here bravely risk their lives for us, and it is essential they have a quality of life fitting of their service. I was proud to secure funding for several quality-of-life enhancements to the military installations in Virginia’s Second Congressional District, but we still have a lot of work to do. I wake up every morning determined to advocate for our military community and ensure our military can remain the strongest in the world…!

Our visit included a tour of Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, a delegation visit to United States Fleet Forces Command, a tour of Iowa Estates PPV Unaccompanied Housing, a tour of the USS Gerald R. Ford to thank sailors, and a visit to Huntington Ingalls Industries to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing submarine and aircraft carrier construction.

Securing Our Southern Border

In addition to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, the U.S. House also passed H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025. This legislation provides $64.81 billion in funding to secure our southern border, bolster our national security, and counter China.

From the record number of fentanyl deaths to rising crime, communities across America are paying the price of the self-inflicted crisis at the border. Our weak southern border has put our national security at risk. I am proud to have voted in favor of this legislation which will ensure we are able to project our strength on the world stage.

Specifically, this bill provides funding to further construct the border wall at our southern border, sustains funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, and allocates funding for enhanced border security technology. Additionally, the bill provides funding for custody operations to detain dangerous criminals, for additional Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters, and for increased maritime engagements with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

You can read the full legislation here.

French Tonnerre Visits Norfolk!

Recently, we welcomed the French Naval amphibious assault ship, the LHD Tonnerre, to Naval Station Norfolk! The LHD Tonnerre was commissioned in December 2006 and is homeported in Toulon, France. She has the capacity to carry up to 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters.

It was inspiring to talk to and celebrate with members of the navy of America’s oldest ally! Thank you, Vice Admiral Christophe Cluzel, Commander, French Naval Action Force; Captain Adrien Schaar, Commanding Officer of LHD Tonnerre and Task Group Jeanne d’Arc 2024 Commander; and Mrs. Caroline Monvoisin, General Consul of France in Washington, DC for the invitation to celebrate this amazing ship! Enjoy your port visit to Virginia….!

VA-02 Art Competition Winner Visits D.C.!

Last week, we hosted our Congressional Art Competition winner, Alex and his family to celebrate his artwork which will represent our district by hanging in the Capitol for the next year! While visiting, they took a tour of the U.S. Capitol and met winners from other districts. We are so proud to show off this beautiful glass American flag he made! Thank you for visiting!

Weekly Poll

With over 1300 responses last week, nearly 80% of you said that you are not ok with student loan forgiveness adding $145 billion to our national deficit.

I agree with you. These student loan “forgiveness” plan forces taxpayers who did not sign up for these loans to foot the bill for those who did. It is extremely unfair to Americans who paid their own way through college, those who saved and worked hard to pay off their loans, and those who chose to go directly into the workforce instead of going to college or getting a graduate degree. 

And now on to this week's poll question!

Did you hear that this 4th of July is cooking up to be the most expensive in U.S. History!? Over the past four years, the cost of average American’s Independence Day plate has skyrocketed...! Please click one of the buttons below to share your opinion.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I want to honor Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Thomas A. Pope of the U.S. Army. (Medal of Action Date: July 4, 1918). 

Thomas Pope was born on December 15, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to the United States entering the first World War, Pope joined the Illinois National Guard. During the war, Pope served in Company "E", 131st Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division. By the time the US entered the war, he was the rank of corporal.

On July 4, 1918, during the battle of Hamel, France, Pope and his company were assigned to capture a strategic hill overlooking the town. At night, the German military launched a counterattack on the hill. Working alongside Australian troops, Pope and his company managed to stop the German attack pushing them back. After several hours of fighting, the Allied forces were paused by a hostile machine gun.

After shouting that he could see the gun, Pope rushed forward alone. Miraculously reaching the machine gun unharmed, Pope bayoneted several of the crew. Then, standing astride the gun, he fired his rifle at Germans attempting to recapture it until reinforcements arrived. The Allied forces went on to successfully take Hamel, France, with over 1,400 soldiers killed or wounded. 

For his heroism, Pope was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Conduct Medal by King George V. Pope received the Medal of Honor from General John Pershing on April 22, 1919. After the war, Pope went on to serve as a district foreman for the Cook County Highway Department. He also served as a contact officer for the Veterans Administration. At the time of his death in 1989, he was the last surviving U.S. Army Medal of Honor recipient from World War I. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 

Fun Fact of the Week!

The Declaration of Independence was first read publicly on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia’s Independence Square, with adjoining bells and music. One year later, on July 4, 1777, the first 4th of July Celebration was held. Congress adjourned early, celebrating the nation’s Independence with bonfires, bells and fireworks. Throughout the early years of the nation, these celebrations continued to grow. Now 248 years later, 4th of July celebrations are a part of the American identity. This year Americans are expected to spend $9.4 billion on food, $4 billion on beer and wine, $2.67 billion on fireworks, and consume more than 150 million hotdogs…! Happy Fourth of July!!!

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