What Jennifer A. Kiggans said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. As a Navy veteran, former helicopter pilot, Navy spouse, and Navy mom, I know our military is only as strong as the men and women who serve.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the more than 2 million women across the country who have answered the call to serve our Nation in uniform. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I had the honor and privilege of serving alongside remarkable and capable women whose professionalism and competence strengthened our Armed Forces and helped keep our country safe.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 7618, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026. I thank Chairman Westerman, Chairman Tiffany, and my bipartisan colleague, Congressman Seth Magaziner, for their support of this important legislation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating several remarkable Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for demonstrating extraordinary leadership, refreshing creativity, and a commitment to making a lasting impact by earning the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleagues in the Virginia congressional delegation with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of Barry Knight, a longtime member of the Virginia House of Delegates, who tragically passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on my bill designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 1225 Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach as the Colonel Edward Shames Post Office Building.”

“Of weighing memories while searching for the light, Gratefully feeling still the loving hands faithfully Placed on my curly head by proud Grandpa Zvi, Son of martyred Rabbi Yaacov and Dena of Zamosc, With radiant grandma Rachel smilingly approving, Reassuring their first grandchild, A refugee like Father Abraham and Mother Sara, Whose birth was surely a divine sign of a threatened Covenant renewed, to protect me always with a Tallit Of reaffirmed life even if God's blessing would not.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my bill, the Care for Military Kids Act, that was included in the appropriations package for 2026 that just passed the House.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the National Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Certified Food Protection Professionals (CFPP) Day, which this year fell on Friday, November 28, 2025. This day is meant to honor the contributions these professionals have made in the foodservice management profession and their vital role in America's healthcare industry and particularly long-term care.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Family Caregivers Month and to honor the more than 63 million Americans who selflessly care for their loved ones. That includes more than 1.5 million Virginians who step up every single day for their parents, spouses, and family members.”

“Far too often caregivers shoulder enormous emotional, physical, and financial burdens without adequate help. That is why Congress must work together to advance commonsense, bipartisan solutions, like the Credit for Caring Act, increased respite care funding, and expand workplace flexibility.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as a Member of Congress, but as a geriatric nurse practitioner and an advocate for our nurses across the Nation, to recognize the unyielding composure of our emergency nurses during Emergency Nurses Week.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act. As a Navy veteran, a nurse practitioner, and the proud Representative of a district that is home to more than 78,000 veterans, I know how essential it is to ensure our veteran health system works efficiently and effectively.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for having us tonight to talk about this important issue. Over the August district work period, I traveled throughout coastal Virginia and heard directly from the people I represent: servicemembers, shipyard workers, working families, and aerospace leaders.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department's Swiftwater Rescue Team, who were recently deployed to Texas Hill Country to support the flood rescue efforts there.”

“Madam Speaker, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service started in 1930, and it is the largest and oldest beach lifesaving service in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Over their almost 90-year existence, thousands of lifeguards have come through this program and provided critical services to the millions of visitors who travel to Virginia Beach annually.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Shirley Smith Southerland's 90th Birthday on July 26, 2025. Shirley Smith Southerland was born in Wallace, North Carolina in 1935, and is a mother of 4 children, 1 boy and 3 girls.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very brave young woman from Virginia's Second District. Vada Carawan is an 11-year-old Virginia Beach native who recently showed courage beyond her years when she saved her father's life.”

“Mr. Speaker, tonight, the Virginia congressional delegation is gathered on the House floor to pay our respects to Virginia Beach Police Department Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, who were killed in the line of duty in the early hours of Saturday, February 22.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish a happy 100th birthday to a very important resident of Hampton Roads, U.S. Navy veteran Mo Maurizio. This American hero has experienced more of the history of our great Nation than most people can even dream of.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate one of my constituents, Mr. Steven Cade, as he retires from federal service, marking the culmination of a military and civilian career that spans over 44 years of faithful service to the defense of our great Nation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of former Isle of Wight County supervisor, Pastor William McCarty. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing in January.”

“Mr. Speaker, as the only geriatric nurse practitioner in Congress, I have seen firsthand the way in which our older veterans, especially those who require care in nursing homes, experience poor health outcomes because of a lack of advocacy in government.”

“Gerontology Advisory Committee to collaborate on strategies to better help seniors who have served our country age with grace and dignity. However, advocates for those living in State veterans homes and those who provide nursing home domiciliary and adult care for our veterans are left completely out of the conversation.”