Friends,

The House was hard at work this past week in Washington, D.C.! I introduced a brand new bill, my office had the pleasure of hosting multiple tour groups from home and abroad, I spoke with groups advocating for important issues like shipbuilding, and I welcomed some of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to Virginia Beach for an event. We also passed multiple bills, which can be seen below in the Weekly Floor Recap. I also have an exciting update about my next telephone town hall...!

And now, onto this week's newsletter!

Welcoming our Japanese Friends to the Capitol

This week, I was thrilled to welcome a group of Japanese high school students to the Capitol!

This awesome group of kids won a trip to D.C. after winning a trivia competition about American history. Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada was also there to welcome our group with the Japan-America Society and to kick off cherry blossom season in our nation's capital!

My staff and I had a wonderful time showing these students around. Thank you all for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms...!

Introducing the Virginia Beach Heroes Act

In February, the Virginia Beach community lost two local heroes when VBPD Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were tragically killed during a routine traffic stop.

On Tuesday, I was proud to introduce the Virginia Beach Heroes Act, a bipartisan bill that would ensure philanthropic donations to the charitable relief funds for the families of fallen Virginia Beach law enforcement officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese are protected and tax-exempt during this time of mourning. Specifically, this bill aims to ensure that cash contributions made for the relief of their families will not fail to qualify as charitable contributions, and that payments made by charitable organizations to the families of the two fallen law enforcement officers will maintain a tax-exempt status.

Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were taken too soon, leaving behind grief-stricken families and a forever grateful community. I am proud to introduce this bill to ensure the families of our fallen heroes can receive the charitable support they deserve with ease. The City of Virginia Beach, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America will forever be grateful to these officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community, and their families will always remain in our prayers.

The Virginia Beach Heroes Act is supported by the Virginia Beach Police Foundation and is cosponsored by Virginia Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01), Bobby Scott (VA-03), John McGuire (VA-05), Ben Cline (VA-06), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

Standing Up for Aircraft Carriers

On Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC). ACIBC represents businesses that supply parts, equipment and services for the construction and maintenance of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

Keeping our military mission-ready has been one of my highest priorities since coming to Congress – and that means supporting our Navy and our aircraft carriers, which are a long-term investment essential for our defense. Aircraft carriers remain a vital part of U.S. naval strategy, offering unmatched lethality, versatility, and survivability. Peace through strength runs through our aircraft carriers...!

Apart from helping safeguard our national security, aircraft carriers help fuel our economy and support local jobs. The construction, maintenance, and operation of these carriers support thousands of jobs - particularly in shipbuilding hubs like Coastal Virginia - and drive economic growth and innovation. Investing in our Navy fleet is critical to maintaining a strong military industrial base and to supporting careers in shipbuilding hubs like Virginia's Second District.

Talking Military Quality of Life with MCPON

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to welcome Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, James Honea, to my office to discuss an issue close to my heart… improving the quality of life for our sailors and their families.

One of my most important jobs in Congress is to advocate for the men and women in our nation’s military, and I have been proud to fight for (and secure) quality-of-life provisions for our military servicemembers. Last Congress, I had the privilege of serving on the bipartisan House Armed Services Committee's Quality of Life Taskforce and was able to help put meaningful changes in place for our military families!

As a proud Navy veteran, Navy spouse, and Navy Mom, I will always be the loudest voice for better pay, housing, healthcare, childcare, and spousal support for our military! I want to thank MCPON for stopping by the office, and look forward to speaking with him again soon...!

Speaking with Fellow Nurse Practitioners

On Friday morning, I had the opportunity to speak at the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners' annual conference in Norfolk!

As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I know firsthand the important issues prioritized by this group, and I am honored to be a voice for them in Congress. In Congress, lawmakers need to do our part to take care of our nation’s healthcare providers and ensure patients have access to quality, affordable healthcare. That is exactly what I’m focused on accomplishing as the Co-Chair of the Primary Care Caucus and Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

The 119th Congress might only be a few months old, but my team and I have already hit the ground running, introducing bipartisan bills to support our healthcare workforce and improve patient care - like the PRECEPT Nurses Act and the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act.

Quality patient outcomes happen every day, in every zip code, with the help of people like our nurse practitioners. I want to take a moment to thank this group for the important work they do on behalf of patients across Virginia...!

Joining Forces in Virginia Beach

On Friday afternoon, three of my Virginia colleagues and I came together for the Navy League Congressional luncheon in Virginia Beach. It was an honor to host Reps. Rob Wittman, Bobby Scott, and Jennifer McLellan in Virginia's Second District!

We participated in a thoughtful Q&A and talked about a number of topics including:

• Ways to improve the lives of our servicemembers here in the Commonwealth and across the country
• Our maritime industrial base and civilian workforce who keep our Navy ships at sea
• Our strategic plans to grow our Navy
• Our work as a delegation to ensure that the Commonwealth remains a leader for our military, an innovation hub for our business community, and a great place to live, work, and raise a family

As a proud Navy veteran, I am very thankful for all the important work the Navy League does for our maritime leaders in Hampton Roads and beyond!

Weekly Poll

With over 1,800 responses last week, over 53.2% of you said you think the federal government should eliminate the Department of Education. I know this can be a divisive issue, which is why I was so curious to hear what you think. Personally, I'm supportive of returning educational power back to the states and back to parents - the people who know their children best!

And now, onto this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I would like to honor the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Master Sergeant Stanley Taylor Adams.

M/Sgt. Adams was born May 9, 1922 in Desoto, Johnson County, Kansas. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Army and eventually fought against German and Italian forces in Italy and North Africa, where he was wounded in battle. After World War II, Adams served in Japan with the Allied Occupation Force. When North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea, Adams went to the Korean Peninsula to assist with the counterattack.

On an early February morning in 1951, while holding post ahead of the rest of his company, Adams’ and his platoon were engaged by nearly 250 enemy troops, according to his Medal of Honor citation. His team charged the enemies with bayonets fixed, and during his pursuit, an enemy shot Adams. Despite this wound and the effects of the concussion grenades landing around him, Adams got to his feet and continued to push on toward the enemy, yelling orders and encouraging his men along the way. After an hour of fighting, Adams and his force pushed the enemy back. Adams even provided cover fire for his force as they withdrew from their position.

President Harry Truman awarded Adams a Medal of Honor on July 5, 1951. Truman cited Adams’ “superb leadership, incredible courage, and consummate devotion to duty” in his efforts in South Korea.

Adams continued his service in the Vietnam War, one of few who have served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1970, and afterward worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an administrator. He later retired from the IRS and settled in Oregon. Adams lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease in 1999. The Stan & Jean Adams Community Center was built by the Oregon Veterans Home in honor of him and his wife.

Constituent Corner

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government. Recently, my office assisted Dhianne from Virginia Beach in resolving an issue she was having applying for her citizenship. After she reached out to my office, we were able to lead her down the right path to citizenship!

If you need assistance with 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!

Join my Telephone Town Hall Tomorrow!

I'm excited to announce that tomorrow I will be hosting my next telephone town hall! I know that many of you have requested a town hall and this "tele-town hall" format is the best way for me to reach thousands of constituents at once to address important topics.

I know how confusing tax season can be, so I wanted to offer some help ahead of Tax Day on April 15th. I will be joined by a local tax advocate from the IRS to answer any questions you may have ahead of the tax filing date. We will also be discussing other issues and trying to answer as many questions as we can! Please RSVP by clicking the link here!

I look forward to speaking with all of you...!

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, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming months, please stop by to say hello!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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