Friends,

Welcome back to another weekly recap! Last week was an in-district work week for the U.S. House of Representatives, so I had the chance to spend time in Hampton Roads before heading back to Washington, D.C. this week. We have a busy week ahead in Congress and will be voting on legislation to fund the Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2025...!

Advocating for New Aircraft at Naval Air Station Oceana

As a naval aviator who is married to a naval aviator, I believe that it’s time to look to the future of Naval Air Station Oceana’s strategic mission and work to bring the military’s newest aircraft to Hampton Roads. Currently, the overwhelming majority of F-35s coming online are going to NAS Lemoore in California. While it is imperative to continue the build up of our west coast assets to combat threats in the Indo-Pacific, we can’t ignore the need to equip our warfighters on the East Coast while we have continued conflicts in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. I can’t think of a better location than NAS Oceana. 

With new platforms and technology comes a new mission and additional resources to support it...! This has fueled my advocacy efforts to bring F-35s to NAS Oceana, as it is in need of long overdue funding to support critical upgrades and revitalize the installation. I remain committed to protecting our defense budget and prioritizing the quality of life for the men and women who serve in our all-volunteer force.

You can read more about my efforts in the coverage from WAVY, WTKR, and 13NewsNow.

Virginia Beach is proud home to the U.S. Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base and I believe the upcoming City Council resolution will go a long way towards showing the Navy that Virginia Beach is invested in keeping Naval Aviation at the forefront of our community for generations to come. I will keep working on the House Armed Service Committee to advocate for a better future for NAS Oceana...!

Improving Medicare Access for Seniors

Did you know that there are more than 28 million Americans enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program? Recently, I joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reintroduce the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, which would improve the process for obtaining prior authorizations to make it easier for our seniors to access critical healthcare services.

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand the struggles seniors and healthcare providers face trying to navigate Medicare Advantage's prior authorization process. This bipartisan legislation aims to make this process more efficient and ensure seniors can access the care they need in a timely manner.

Specifically, this legislation would establish an electronic prior authorization process (e-PA) for Medicare Advantage plans, would allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to set timeframes for e-PA requests, and would expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.

I am proud to be a voice for our nation's seniors in Congress...especially those who depend on programs like Medicare to cover their healthcare needs!

We Are Here to Help with the USPS!

Over the past several months, I’ve heard from Coastal Virginians across VA-02 about problems they are facing with the U.S. Postal Service... As my office continues to push for improvements from the USPS, my team can help with individual issues you might be facing!

If you are having trouble with the USPS or need help with another federal agency, please get in touch with my office - we are here to help! You can contact us at https://www.kiggans.house.gov or give us a call at (757) 364-7650.

Expanding Midwifery Programs Across the U.S.

Last week, I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 3768, the Midwives for MOMS Act. Midwives have a significant role to play when it comes to keeping mothers and their babies healthy.

This bipartisan bill would increase access to midwives by authorizing $35 million in grants for midwifery programs at higher education institutions. These grants will be allocated to programs that will help train new midwives, improving our workforce and increasing access to midwives for expectant mothers. In awarding grants, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must give special consideration to institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional healthcare.

Currently, only 11% of births in the U.S. are attended by a midwife, despite the essential role they play keeping moms healthy. Meanwhile, globally, there is an estimated shortage of 900,000 midwives worldwide...!

I am proud to advocate for the Midwives for MOMS Act. By expanding opportunities for students to enroll in accredited midwifery programs, I have no doubt that if it becomes law, it will help address the growing maternity care provider shortage, improve maternity care outcomes for mothers and babies, and reduce maternity care costs for working families.

Weekly Poll

With nearly 1,000 votes last week, 54.1% of you responded that you are concerned with the increase in crime in your neighborhoods. Crime is becoming more of a concern in our region with Virginia Beach reporting a 44% increase in shoplifting between 2019 and 2023. I am committed to supporting policies to curbing crime and keeping our families safe.

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

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the largest spike to the 2024 federal deficit will stem from a projected $145 billion increase that’s partly due to changes the Biden administration made to student loan repayment plans and a new, proposed forgiveness programs that would waive some accrued interest for millions of borrowers.

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I want to recognize Medal of Honor recipient Second Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr. of the U.S. Army Air Service. (Medal of Honor Action Date: September 29, 1918).

Frank Luke Jr. was born on May 19, 1897 in Phoenix Arizona after his Father emigrated from Germany in 1874. After the U.S. entered into the First World War, Luke enlisted in the Aviation Section of the U.S. Signal Corps and deployed to France in 1918 as a second Lieutenant.

In July 1918, he was assigned to the 27th Aero Squadron. Luke’s Squadron was assigned to destroy German observation balloons, a task that he and his friend Wehner volunteered for frequently. From September 12th to the 29th Luke officially shot down 14 of the observation Balloons and four airplanes. He achieved a total of 18 victories, deploying 10 times in only 8 days, the most of any World War One pilot.

During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive Luke flew six miles behind German lines to attack three German balloons. Luke successfully shot down all three German balloons but was severely wounded by a single machine gun bullet. He then landed in a field and attempted to reach cover but collapsed before he could manage. When approached by German infantry he drew his weapon for a final stand before he was killed.

Many French and American sources testified to Luke’s actions, for which he received a posthumous Medal of Honor. The medal was presented to his Father in 1919, who later donated it to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. In the museum there is a small exhibit displaying Luke’s goggles, gunsight, documents, and other personal items, and at one time displayed a fully restored version of his plane.

Luke’s body was retrieved later by American forces and he was buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial near east of the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in France.

Fun Fact of the Week!

On June 28th, 1776, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was submitted to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. This draft was masterminded by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. The Declaration was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, and signed on August 2 of the same year. This Friday truly marks the beginning of our Founding Fathers’ final steps toward independence from Great Britain...!

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