Friends,

I was back in Washington this week as the House resumed session. It was full of committee hearings, debates, votes, and meetings... I even got to preside over the House floor and listen to many of my colleagues address a variety of subjects important to their districts!

Here are the highlights from another productive week in our nation's Capitol...!

Parents Bill of Rights

I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life but being a mother is by far the most important one. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a worrisome trend of parents prevented from being involved in their children’s education. The thought of my children being taught a divisive curriculum that sows the seeds of distrust and hatred - rather than one that empowers them to succeed - is deeply troubling.

In 2021, our Commonwealth was thrust into the national spotlight as parents sent a clear message: we will not be excluded from the classroom...! Since then, Governor Youngkin’s transformational education agenda has led to the prioritization of students’ success over political ideologies.

On Friday, we passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This simple and powerful legislation ensures that parents know what their children are being taught, are heard in the classroom, can see the school budget and spending, are able to protect their child’s privacy, and can keep their children safe. This legislation lives up to its name: much like the Bill of Rights, the Parents Bill of Rights is a list of commonsense, straightforward tenants that serve as the foundation of our education system.

We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that our students are receiving a comprehensive, results-focused education that empowers them to succeed in the real world; however, we took a big step this week. I’m glad that I was able to use my position in Congress to expand on the great work that’s being done in Virginia…!

Cracking Down on China for the Fentanyl Crisis

Many people are surprised to learn that the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 45 is not heart disease, cancer, or even car accidents...it's fentanyl. 

While we continue to work to address the crisis at our southern border and the drug epidemic that is sweeping through our communities, it’s important we cut the lethal fentanyl engine off at its source: China. 

According to the DEA, China remains the primary source of fentanyl precursor chemicals, which are then processed and manufactured into synthetic opioids by Mexican drug cartels to bring into the United States.

That's why I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 1171, the Stop CCP Fentanyl Act. This bill sanctions the CCP and its officials for their continuous role in the plague of fentanyl that the U.S. is enduring. I cannot stress how important it is to me that we have a strong nation that holds bad actors like China in check!!

National Ship Repair Industry Conference

Did you know that defense-related industries have an annual impact of $37.5B and employ over 330,000 people in southeast Virginia? That includes our ship repair industry...! On Tuesday, I was honored to speak at the National Ship Repair Industry Conference about our district partnership and how I can be an advocate for them. This industry is critical to a strong Navy, a stable economy, and a solid national defense...not to mention the success and wellbeing of our district!

A Busy Week for the Veterans’ Affairs Committee

There was certainly no shortage of excitement in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs this week…! On Thursday, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, testified to our full committee about the Department’s fiscal year 2024 budget. 

Ensuring our veterans have ample access to quality care and benefits is one of my top priorities in Congress. A large part of that entails ensuring the Department has a robust budget that is spent responsibly in the best interest of our service members who’ve completed their tour(s) of duty.

If you’re interested in watching, you can find the full hearing here.

I'm pleased to report that the Committee also reauthorized the Bipartisan Women Veteran Task Force this week. This group – comprised of members from both sides of the aisle – will host a series of roundtable discussions not just in Washington, but around the country, focused on veteran women. I’m proud to be a part of a group of members that is so dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the fastest growing population of veterans in the United States!

Rheumatology Nurses Society Advocacy Summit

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of speaking with the Rheumatology Nurses Society during their Washington Advocacy Summit & Hill Day! My journey in politics started during a similar American Association of Nurse Practitioners trip to Washington back in 2019. We spoke about how they can advocate for their patients and their profession both in Congress and back home… if there's one thing I know, it's that we need more nurses in Congress…!

Stay Tuned for Next Week's Telephone Townhall!

I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be hosting my first “telephone townhall” next week! This is an excellent opportunity to make your voice heard and speak out about the issues that matter to you. I can’t wait to hear from residents across Virginia’s Second District. The event will be held at 5:00 PM of Thursday, March 30...if you would like to participate, the dial-in number is (833) 998-1732.

Be sure to stay tuned in to my social media accounts for more details as we get closer to next Thursday!

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant Richard Thomas Shea, Junior. (Medal of Honor action date: July 7th, 1953).

U.S. Army First Lieutenant Richard Shea was supervising the reinforcement of defensive positions near Sokkogae, Korea when his company was attacked by an enemy force that vastly outnumbered his own. Immediately proceeding to the most vulnerable area of his company’s defenses, 1st Lt. Shea organized a counterattack, during which he killed two enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. 1st Lt. Shea commanded his men’s defense throughout the night, calmly moving through their ranks, aiding and fighting alongside them.

The next afternoon, Lt. Shea’s company was joined by troops from Company G, which had sustained heavy losses. He quickly rallied a force of 20 men and charged the enemy; he was wounded but refused evacuation, opting to press the counterattack instead. When he and his men were pinned down by machine gun fire, he personally charged the position, using his firearm and hand-grenades to neutralize the weapon and the enemy. He then successfully helped his troops hold their new position through the night.

The next day – July 8 – the enemy attacked once again. Though he was wounded, 1st Lt. Shea launched another counterattack, and was last seen engaged in close combat with the enemy.

First Lieutenant Richard Thomas Shea, Junior was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on May 16, 1955 by Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens for “conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy”.

1st Lt. Shea was born on January 3, 1927 in Portsmouth, VA and is buried in Olive Branch Cemetery in Portsmouth, VA. His Medal of Honor was presented to his widow, Mrs. Joyce Shea, and is accredited to Portsmouth, Portsmouth County, Virginia. He is also a member of the Virginia High School Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a track athlete.

Five Fast Facts from the Floor!

1. There are 20 permanent Committees in the House of Representatives – I serve on three of them!
2. Our Founding Documents are stored at the National Archives (right down the street from the Capitol!) and available for public viewing.
3. President John Adams was the first president to live in the White House; he moved in in 1800.
4. Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first woman to serve in Congress, she began her term in 1917.
5. Originally, each House member represented 30,000 citizens – that number now averages 700,000 people!

I’ll be back in Washington next week to conduct legislative business before a two week district work period. I’ll continue to work toward an accountable and transparent government that empowers our nation to succeed…! 

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