Friends,

I can't believe it is already November! As everyone knows, tomorrow is Election Day. While politics can be an exhausting topic, participating in our electoral process is central to who we are as Americans - that’s why I want to make sure you have the resources you need to exercise your right to vote. Our local, state, and national lawmakers make an enormous impact, and staying engaged is an important way to make positive changes in our communities. To find the Election Day polling location closest to you, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website here.

November also comes with the time change and the end of Halloween...as well as the holiday season! I hope you are able to spend the coming weeks time surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones.

Over the past week in Virginia's Second District, I met with some of the people who make Hampton Roads such a great place to live. I look forward to meeting new people across our district every day and learning how I can best represent them in Washington. Now, here's this week's recap!

Thank You Military Families!

The men and women who serve in our nation's military do not serve alone. Beside them stand their spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones who make up the majority of our resilient military community. With November kicking off Military Family Appreciation Month, I recently stopped by the Virginia Beach Convention Center for the Armed Services YMCA Hampton Roads' annual Military Family Fall Festival!

I had the opportunity to meet military families from across the region and hear firsthand about their experiences with their loved ones serving. These families give so much to our military and our community - it was wonderful to celebrate both the fall season and Halloween with them!

As a former Navy helicopter pilot, the daughter of a former Army Green Beret, the wife of a former Navy pilot, and the mother to future servicemembers, I have been a part of the military community my entire life. I know how important these families are, and I sincerely appreciate their service. It was my honor to recognize these families and their commitment to our country...I will always fight for our military and their families in Congress...!

Advocating for American Business

Hampton Roads is home to thousands of small businesses, all of which I am proud to advocate for in Congress. These businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, which is why I support legislation that will allow them to be prosperous and continue to give back to our economy in Hampton Roads.

I am honored to have received the U.S. Chamber's Advocate for American Business Award for my pro-small business record in Congress! I have always believed in a commonsense approach to government that helps employers, and their workers, succeed. I look forward to continuing to advocate for policies that empower our local businesses to succeed!

Delivering Results for Veterans in Hampton Roads

Since my first day as your representative, I have been committed to delivering results for our nation's veterans, both at a national level and right here in our own local community. For two years, my team and I have worked hard to address the challenges at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

Click on the video below to take a look at all the progress we've made so far...!

As the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, I could not allow so many allegations of substandard care, denials of care, and whistleblower retaliation to go unanswered.

I am pleased to report that as a result of my investigation, three members of the Hampton VAMC senior leadership team were removed from their positions and new leadership has stepped in to get the facility headed back in the right direction. Continued oversight will be needed over the coming months, and I will do everything in my power to ensure our veterans receive the best possible care from the facility moving forward!

During my multiple deployments as a Naval Aviator, I met some of the best men and women this country has to offer. I will continue to work tirelessly in Congress to ensure those who put their lives on the line for our freedoms get the top notch care and benefits they deserve from the VA. If you are a veteran seeking assistance navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs, please click the button below and my office will be happy to help...!

Returning Federal Dollars Back to VA-02

Since coming to Congress, one of my top priorities has been to deliver results for the residents of Virginia's Second District. This is especially true when it comes to helping constituents navigate the bureaucracy and general unresponsiveness of the federal government.

Over the course of the past two years, my team and I have helped more than 3,600 Coastal Virginians navigate the federal government, saving them approximately $3.9 million...! From assisting veterans get appointments or the benefits they are owed by the VA, to expediting a passport request, to getting help with the IRS – my office is here to help!

If you, or someone you know, needs assistance with a 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!

Protecting Our Border Is Not Optional

Since the Biden-Harris Administration took office, we have seen an overall rise in both illegal border crossings and encounters with terrorists at America's borders. According to CBP data, there have been hundreds of terrorist encounters at our Southwest border. The numbers speak for themselves...This administration's failed border policies have left our nation less safe.

Border security is national security, and as we have seen lately, the world is a dangerous place. Our country's wide-open borders have jeopardized our national security and the safety of our communities…something I worry about every day as a mom of four. We must secure our border and stop the flow of people on the terrorist watchlist from entering our country!

Securing our country's borders is a basic responsibility of the federal government, and the American people have a right to expect that responsibility to be fulfilled. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to hold the current administration accountable for its actions on the border and advocate for policies that keep our communities, the Commonwealth, and our nation secure.

Weekly Poll

With nearly 1,200 votes last week, 80% of you said that you supported Governor Youngkin appealing the ruling that kept self-identified non-citizens on the Virginia voter rolls. I agree!

As you might know, last week, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and ruled that the Governor and the Commonwealth could continue their program which individually removes self-identified non-citizens off our voter rolls! I am grateful for this ruling. This is a win for election integrity and will help ensure Virginians can be confident in the outcome of our elections.

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 Lieutenant General (LTG) Arthur MacArthur Jr, United States Army (Medal of Honor Action Date: November 25, 1863).

LTG Arthur MacArthur Jr was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts on June 2nd, 1845 to Arthur MacArthur Sr and Aurelia Belcher. In 1849, his family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin so his father could continue his law practice. 

At the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War, MacArthur’s father sought to have him appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, and he was instead commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant with the 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment. LTG MacArthur fought in numerous campaigns and battles including the battles of Chickamauga, Stones River, and Franklin, and the Chattanooga and Atlanta Campaigns.

As part of the Chattanooga Campaign, his 24th Wisconsin Regiment was involved in the Battle of Missionary Ridge. As part of this battle, the regiment charged a hilltop confederate position. During an attack, the regimental flags would be carried in front and were a preferred target of the enemy, frequently shooting flag bearers. LTG MacArthur, personally took the regimental flag after the previous flag bearer was shot and led his regiment to the top of the confederate position. LTG MacArthur was recorded as shouting “On Wisconsin” as he rallied his men to the top of the confederate position, securing it and planting the regimental colors on the encampment. For his actions, LTG MacArthur was promoted to the brevet rank of Colonel, earning the nickname “The Boy Colonel” due to his age of 19 years old at the time of promotion. LTG MacArthur would eventually be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Missionary Ridge in 1890.

Following the Civil War, LTG MacArthur initially resigned his commission and intended to practice law. He quickly determined it was not for him and returned to the Army in 1866 with the rank of 1st lieutenant with a promotion to captain in September, 1866. MacArthur remained a captain until 1889, over 20 years due to the glacial promotion rates in the peacetime U.S. military of the late 19th century. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, LTG MacArthur was made a brigadier general and given command of the 2nd division of the Eighth Army Corps which successfully captured Manila in 1898. Following his victory at Manila, he was promoted to Major General. From 1899-1902, MacArthur remained in the Philippines in which he held various posts and helped combat the Philippine resistance and was elevated to the post of Military Governor of the Philippines which he held until 1902. 

LTG MacArthur then toured around the world with his son, Douglass MacArthur in the aftermath of the Ruso-Japanese War of 1904-1905. He was promoted to Lieutenant General but was passed over for the post of Chief of Staff of the Army due to his longstanding disagreements with Secretary of War and future president William Howard Taft. LTG MacArthur retired from the Army in 1909 after 47 years of service. On September 5, 1912 While giving a speech to veterans of the 24th Wisconsin, LTG Arthur MacArthur Jr collapsed and died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His body was covered in the original 24th Wisconsin United States flag, beginning the tradition of burial flags. His son, Douglas MacArthur became General of the Army and would earn his own Medal of Honor.

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government, especially when it comes to receiving retirement benefits owed to our nation's veterans. Recently, my office was able to assist Atkins from Chesapeake and helped him secure his Navy retirement, including back pay, quickly!

If you need assistance with your military benefits 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!

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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