Friends,

In recent years, executive overreach has played a large role in the economic turmoil that everyday Americans are living through. That's why, last week, I voted for the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023 and the Separation of Powers Restoration Act.

The REINS Act would greatly limit government overreach by requiring Congress to pass a joint resolution of approval for any major rules enacted by federal agencies before they take effect. The Separation of Powers Restoration Act restores Congress’s authority as the branch of government that makes the laws and the judiciary as the branch to interpret and enforce them, ensuring executive branch agencies cannot circumvent Congress by issuing rules with the force of law.

Our democracy is built on a foundation of checks and balances; I was proud to support these important measures which take steps to shrink the size of the federal government, reduce spending, and provide much needed relief to economic Southeast Virginians. Click on image below to read more:

Team Kiggans Out and About in the Community!

While I was in DC for votes this week, I was proud to have my district staff attend the grand opening of the FACT Autism Resource Center in Virginia Beach! FACT is a wonderful organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. I look forward to seeing this impressive new resource center in person soon and have no doubt it will have a positive impact on our community…!

My staff also attended the Suffolk Small Business Forum on my behalf! This event, which was held in conjunction with the Hampton Roads Chamber, gave members of my team the opportunity to hear directly from local business leaders about the issues they face and better understand how I can advocate for them in Washington.

Our small businesses create jobs, drive innovation, support our economy and give back to their communities. Supporting Virginia’s small businesses - and their employees - is one of my top priorities in Congress!

Always Advocating for Seniors and Veterans

As a geriatric nurse practitioner and a former Navy helicopter pilot, seniors and veterans are two groups I am beyond proud to fight for in Congress! This past week, I was humbled to receive the Guardian of Seniors' Rights award from the American Association of Senior Citizens and meet with the Association of Mature American Citizens. I also hosted multiple veterans groups in my Washington, D.C. office to discuss policies impacting our nation's heroes, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

I am always grateful for the groups who take the time to meet with me, discuss how the federal government can better serve them, and help me understand how I can advocate for them in our nation's capital...!

Once A Nurse, Always a Nurse

I was also honored to kick off the American Nurses Association's Capitol Hill Day this past week…! We had a great discussion about how nurses across the country can make our voices heard, including:



• The biggest legislative challenges facing nurses and advanced practice registered nurses today.
• How nurses can take steps in their own communities to fight for their profession and patients.
• What nurses and other health care providers can expect in regard to Congressional action for the remainder of the 118th Congress.

It makes me proud to see so many amazing nurses in Washington advocating for our profession!!

Supporting Our Commissaries and Exchanges

One of the other highlights of the week was speaking with the American Logistics Association…! ALA does the incredibly important work of supplying our military commissaries, galleys, exchanges, and many of the other services that our service members and veterans use on a daily basis. As a veteran, Navy wife, and now Navy mom, I know how critical these services are to our military community's support network and the families who rely on it. Commissaries provide a valuable military benefit to these families beyond community - savings that equate to thousands of dollars each year. So, thank you ALA for all of the important work you do and for inviting me to speak with you all...!

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I want to recognize Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Corporal William Kyle Carpenter (Medal of Honor Action date: November 21, 2010).

Carpenter was born in Jackson, Mississippi and eventually moved to South Carolina. He enlisted in the Marine Corps early in 2009 and completed training the same year. At the time of his deployment in 2010 to combat duty in Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, he was a lance corporal serving as a Squad Automatic Rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team-1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force, comprised of two reinforced Marine squads partnered with an Afghan National Army squad. The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marjah District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population.

Lance Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast. When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine.

After medically retiring in July of 2013, Corporal Carpenter was presented the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama on 19 June 2014 for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. He is the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan as well as the youngest living recipient of such an honor at the age of 33. He was also awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Achievement Medal. 

Five Fast Congressional Baseball Game Facts!

Last week, I attended my first Congressional Baseball Game! Every summer, Republicans and Democrats line up against each other on the baseball diamond here in Washington, D.C. for charity. The first game was played in 1909 and has been such a fun tradition since then! Republicans won by a score of 16-6; our third victory in a row! It was great to get out of the office and have some fun with my staff and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; all work and no play is not good for anybody's health! In celebration of this year's Congressional Baseball Game, here are five fast facts about this fun tradition:

1. The Congressional Baseball Game donates ticket proceeds to benefit local D.C. charities, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the Washington Literacy Center.
2. The event has been held nearly every year since 1909. 
3. Early Congressional Baseball Game teams were solely composed of Congressmen; Senators first competed in 1950.
4. In 1957, Michigan Representative Gerald Ford hit what is believed to be the first known grand slam in the game’s history. 
5. Only one Baseball Hall of Famer is known to have competed in the game. Former Kentucky Congressman and Senator – as well as former Tigers and Phillies hurler – Jim Bunning pitched for the Republicans.

I am back in Washington this week to participate in a marathon markup of the Fiscal Year 24 National Defense Authorization Act. This critical legislation authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring our troops have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions. I will be hard at work to improve quality of life issues and mental healthcare for our men and women in uniform (you can read more about my effort by clicking on the article below).

I'm honored to serve on the committee with jurisdiction over the issues impacting our Armed Forces...! As always, please don't hesitate to contact my D.C. 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