Rep. Kiggans Joins House Leadership to Talk One Big Beautiful Bill and Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC— Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), a Navy veteran and proud military spouse and mother, spoke at a House Republican leadership press conference to highlight how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers for America’s veterans, military families, and national defense.
Watch Rep. Kiggans’ speech here.
“I proudly represent Virginia’s Second District, which is home to a large percentage of the veteran population,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “In the country, we have about 6% of the population who have served in our great military, and in my district we have more than twice as much—about 13%.”
A former Navy helicopter pilot, Congresswoman Kiggans emphasized her personal connection to the military community and the everyday Americans she represents.
“I am a veteran. I served as a Navy helicopter pilot for 10 years of my life. I am married to an F-18 pilot, who served for 20 years. And I am also a very proud Navy Mom to a future Naval aviator,” Kiggans continued.
“The people in my district—we are regular, everyday Americans. We just put service to country first,” she said. “Whether you’re a veteran or work with the veteran and defense community, the wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill are important to us. We are hardworking. We are business owners. We are small business owners. We are parents. We are Moms and Dads. And we are people who care about community safety.”
Kiggans praised the bill’s provisions to support families, veterans, and small businesses.
“The wins in this One Big Beautiful Bill—from the economy side, the extension of the tax breaks, the no tax on tips and overtime—those are wins that we know our veterans will feel more in their bank accounts,” she said. “We want our veterans, and all Americans, to feel like they have more in their pocketbooks.”
But Kiggans emphasized that the bill’s most critical provisions are those that support the military and restore American strength on the world stage.
“Most importantly, the biggest win for a lot of us in the veteran community was that $150 billion defense plus-up,” said Kiggans. “So many of us joined and signed up to serve again in our great military for our great country because of the chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan. We saw weakness on the world stage. We saw what it looks like when our country doesn’t prioritize peace through strength. The world is a very dangerous place. And now as a military Mom, I really care about that issue—and so many people in my district, so many of our children are serving, so many of my neighbors and friends.”
Kiggans applauded the bill’s strategic investments in national defense and the military industrial base.
“We’re seeing Republicans put our money where our mouth is and prioritize quality of life and quality of service initiatives for our military,” she said. “We are seeing next-generation strike fighters funded. We are seeing money for 16 more ships being built. There’s $9 billion for quality of life, $29 billion for shipbuilding, $16 billion for shipyards and depots—which we know are in need of repair—and $9 billion for air superiority. We need to prioritize this peace-through-strength part, and that is what this One Big Beautiful Bill does.”
She also called out the previous administration’s failure to invest in national defense and commended the Trump Administration for reversing that trend.
“During the Biden Administration, we had defense spending at an all-time low,” said Kiggans. “We know that in times of our greatest peace, defense spending is about 5%–6% of GDP. President Trump has not only agreed to do that for our country and our military, but he has encouraged our allies to do that. We are seeing them get on board with that too.”
Kiggans concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the military and veteran communities she represents.
“It is certainly a privilege to be able to represent a district that has one of the largest veteran populations,” she said. “These are great wins for the American public, great wins for the veteran community. I am very proud to be a part of this effort. Thank you so much.”