Friends,

Before we get started on this week's update, I wanted to take a minute to talk about the status of Congress' work to keep our government funded and open. As you may know, the House has passed 5 out of 12 Fiscal Year 2025 government funding bills over the past several months. Meanwhile, the Senate has not passed a single one...! If Congress fails to act by September 30th, the government will shut down. 

For 200 years straight, Congress kept the government funded and fully operational, with the first ever shutdown occurring in 1976. That was just 48 years ago. Since that time, we have had more than 20 full or partial government shutdowns. This type of governing is irresponsible and only serves to hurt the American people. In fact, recent shutdowns in 2013, 2018, and 2019 combined cost the federal government nearly $4 billion…! Congress can and must do better.

That's why last week, the House voted on a bill that would have funded the government for 6 months and ensured illegal immigrants could not vote in our federal elections. Unfortunately, despite my support, this legislation was rejected by a vote of 202-220. However, the fact remains that the American people sent us here to govern...I am committed to finding a path forward on government funding, avoiding a shutdown, and protecting the families who call Virginia's Second Congressional District home.

In addition to this important funding bill, the House also voted on a number of different proposals, ranging from reauthorizing programs that support autism research, to requiring illegal immigrants found guilty of violence against women be deported, to increasing Secret Service protection for presidential nominees.

We are back in Washington this week to continue to work on behalf of the American people and to find a solution to keep our government open. And now on to this week's Weekly Debrief...!

Fighting for Military Pay During a Potential Government Shutdown

The men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country should never go without a paycheck. That's why last week, I reintroduced my legislation, the Pay Our Troops Act, to ensure members of the military are paid in the event of a government shutdown. At a time when inflation continues to hurt our military families, it's unacceptable that they have to worry about losing their income because of dysfunction in Washington.

Currently, if the government shuts down without a funding bill for the Department of Defense signed into law, those serving in our Armed Forces will not receive their paychecks. My Pay Our Troops Act will protect members of the military, including the Coast Guard, as well as certain U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors should Congress fail to provide temporary or full-year funding by September 30, 2024.

As a former Navy helicopter pilot, military spouse, and mother to children who serve, it is privilege of a lifetime to fight on behalf of our servicemembers in Congress and protect them, just as they protect us. As we continue working to keep the government open, my bipartisan bill will give our troops the financial certainty they deserve. You can read more about the Pay Our Troops Act here.

Supporting PBM Reform To Lower Drug Costs for Our Seniors

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I've seen firsthand how the rising costs of medication can impact patients, especially our older adults. Oftentimes, when drug prices go up, people stop taking their medication...especially when they're on a fixed income.

Today, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) act as the middle-men between providers, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Unfortunately, this means that small local pharmacies fall victim to unbecoming business practices, causing drug prices to rise and local independent pharmacies to suffer. Additionally, PBMs are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges via spread pricing in Medicaid-managed care plans, which further contributes to the rising drug costs.

That's why I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Pharmacists Fight Back Act. This bill will ensure that pharmacies are accurately reimbursed by PBMs for patients who are covered under federal health insurance like Medicare and provide increased drug cost transparency and lower overall drug costs. You can learn more about this legislation by clicking on the photo above.

Increasing Access to Mental Health Care for Veterans

Our military men and women risk their lives in service to our country, but tragically, close to 17 veterans take their own lives every day. That's why I worked with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) to introduce the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, to ensure mental health organizations have the resources necessary to care for veterans who need it most.

The No Wrong Door for Veterans Act would reauthorize the Fox Grant Program for an additional three years to provide community-based mental health organizations with federal funding to increase access to mental health care, support, and suicide prevention services for veterans. As of September 2023, hundreds of grantees under this program have completed over 20,000 outreach contacts to veterans. However, unless Congress acts, this pilot program will expire at the end of the Fiscal Year 2025.

I know how important it is for servicemembers to have access to mental health resources when they transition to civilian life. I will continue to do everything in my power to provide those who fought for our freedoms with the support they deserve. 

Learning More About Our Defense Industrial Base

Our national defense relies upon on technological superiority to deter our adversaries on the world stage. Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Silicon Valley with a bipartisan group of my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to learn more about how the Department of Defense is collaborating with tech industry partners to provide the best tools possible for our warfighters.

During our trip, we visited the Defense Innovation Unit headquarters and met with the teams at Lyten and Saildrone to see firsthand the innovations and new technology they are working on to improve our military's capabilities. Thank you all for inviting us to witness the great work you are doing for our country...!

Boy Scout Troop 481 Visits D.C.

Last week, I had some young visitors from Virginia Beach who traveled up to Washington to visit our nation's capital! While they were here, they had the opportunity to take a tour of the Capitol Building and see Congress in action. I had the pleasure of stopping by to see them on my way to votes and had a lot of fun answering questions they had about the U.S. House of Representatives.

Thank you, Boy Scout Troop 481 for visiting! I hope you enjoyed your trip...!

Weekly Poll

With over 1,200 votes, 70% of you said that President trump should receive the same level of Secret Service protection as President Biden. I agree, which is why I voted for, and the House unanimously passed H.R. 9106, which directs the Secret Service director to apply uniform standards for protection of presidents, vice presidents and major presidential and vice presidential candidates.

And now on to this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor Medal of Honor recipient Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) John Bassilone United States Marine Corps (Medal of Honor Action Date October 24-25, 1942).

GySgt Basilone was born on November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, NY. He was the 6th of 10 children of Salvatore Basilone and Theadora Bencivenga. His family moved to Raritan, NJ when he was two years old. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 in order to work during the Great Depression. He worked as a golf caddy at a country club before enlisting in the Army in 1934.

Basilone served his three year Army enlistment in the Philippines and left in 1937. He then returned home and drove trucks in Maryland. He wanted to return to the Philippines and believed he would return quicker by joining the Marine Corps as opposed to the Army. He enlisted in the Marines in 1940. After recruit training, he was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, he was reassigned to the 1st Marine division and was shipped out to Guadalcanal.

On October 24th, 1942, GySgt Basilone was in charge of two machine gun sections protecting a narrow pass leading to the vital Henderson Airfield which had been established on Guadalcanal. Basilone’s unit was attacked by a regiment of 3,000 Japanese troops of the Sendai Division and his position was subjected to heavy fire from mortars and grenades. Two of his machine guns were destroyed, leaving just Basilone and two other marines able to defend the position. GySgt Basilone repaired one machine gun and placed the two remaining marines on the position and proceeded to personally repair and man the other machine gun until replacements arrived. He then shuttled ammunition to the machine gun nests after they ran critically low while also fighting and killing Japanese troops who managed to break through the line. He held his position in the machine gun nest for two days until he was finally relieved.

GySgt Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 21st, 1943 in a ceremony in Australia and was then sent back to the United States to help sell war bonds. He attempted repeatedly to return to combat units but was denied by Marine Corps leadership. Basilone was eventually permitted to transfer to a combat unit and was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California. While at Camp Pendleton, he met the woman who became his wife, Lena Mae Riggi. They were married on July 10th, 1944. 

He deployed back to the Pacific Theater and landed with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment on the opening of the invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19th, 1945. GySgt Basilone helped penetrate the Japanese lines protecting an airfield. Basilone then helped a Marine tank that had become trapped in a minefield and guided it to safety. Tragically, as he navigated the edge of the airfield he was struck by Japanese fire and died as a result of his wounds. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima.

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone is well regarded in Marine Corps history. The Marine Corps named the entry point onto Camp Pendleton, a parachute landing zone, and an obstacle in the Marine Corps Training Crucible in his honor. The United States Navy has also named two destroyers in his honor. There are countless other public memorials honoring his service and sacrifice. He is also portrayed in the HBO miniseries the Pacific. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to get answers from the federal government like the IRS...! But my office is here and able to help you get the answers you deserve. Earlier this year, we helped Jon from Virginia Beach after he was having difficulty contacting the IRS. My office was able to assist him and get him a response quickly, solving his casework issue...!

If you need assistance with your passport or with another 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!

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 fall 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

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