Kiggans Delivers Major Wins for Coastal Virginia in FY26 Energy & Water Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which includes several key amendments and funding priorities championed by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) to strengthen coastal Virginia’s infrastructure, energy security, and scientific leadership.

Congresswoman Kiggans successfully secured language to ensure funds within the Army Corps of Engineers’ budget are directed to prioritize dredging and harbor maintenance, ensuring that Navy ships and sealift vessels have safe and reliable access to the ports they depend on for America’s defense. She also directed funds within the Corps’ budget to support flood control and storm damage reduction projects in coastal communities, bolstering shoreline defenses and helping protect families, businesses, and military installations from future storms.

“Coastal Virginia is the backbone of America’s naval power, and keeping our harbors safe and our shoreline strong is critical to both our national defense and our local economy,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I am proud to have secured funding that will ensure Navy ships can operate safely from Norfolk while protecting our coastal communities from flooding and storm damage.”

Kiggans also led efforts to enhance the nation’s energy security. She secured within the Department of Energy’s budget to strengthen America’s electric grid, supporting projects that make the grid more resilient and reliable, and protecting critical infrastructure, including military bases, from outages and threats. Another amendment directed funding within the Department of Energy’s nuclear programs to support research and development of advanced small and micro nuclear reactors. These next-generation systems can provide reliable power for critical infrastructure, including military bases and remote locations, while strengthening U.S. leadership in energy innovation.

In addition to these amendments, Congresswoman Kiggans secured $5.4 million in community project funding for the Norfolk Harbor Operations and Maintenance project, administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. This funding will support annual dredging of the Norfolk Harbor and Elizabeth River, as well as dike raising at Craney Island, ensuring safe navigation channels for commercial shipping, military vessels, and private boats.

Congresswoman Kiggans also worked closely with Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) to support major investments at Jefferson Lab in Newport News, one of the nation’s leading scientific research facilities. Together, they ensured Department of Energy funding is prioritized to support ongoing operations of Jefferson Lab’s world-class particle accelerator, construction of a new High Performance Data Facility, and expansion of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility. These projects will allow scientists to continue groundbreaking research into the fundamental building blocks of matter while cementing Hampton Roads’ role as a hub for scientific and technological innovation.

“From keeping our Navy strong to advancing world-class science at Jefferson Lab, these wins will pay dividends for Hampton Roads for decades to come,” Kiggans added. “This is about strengthening national security, growing our economy, and making sure Coastal Virginia remains at the forefront of America’s future.”