As a third-generation veteran, Norfolk State University graduate, and Courage for America Councilmember, I am concerned about the future of our veteran community here in Virginia. After transitioning from active duty in the United States Air Force in 1992, I moved to Virginia to attend Norfolk State University where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising. Since then, I’ve become an active community member, advocating for better protections, legislation, and job opportunities for veterans in our area.
Veterans and our leadership skills are integral to Virginia and this country. Yet, too many of our leaders tout their support for the troops and then are nowhere to be found when veterans need basic support. My own congresswoman, Jen Kiggans, is one of those MIA legislators. She routinely rejects policies and positions that would support veterans and prefers to side with the policies of Project 2025 – a dangerous, far-right agenda that would gut programs that benefit veterans, military families, and others. We are one of the most veteran-rich states in the country, and we deserve to have our representatives serve us, just like we served our country.
Every member of Congress, including Congresswoman Kiggins, needs to condemn Project 2025 and refuse to support its policy priorities, especially those that harm veterans and military families.
I served in the U.S. Air Force because my grandfather was a WWII veteran. Following his example, I knew I wanted to serve my country. When I retired from the Air Force, I first came to Virginia to attend college, using the benefits afforded to me under the G.I. Bill. I’ve seen how supporting veterans has allowed my adopted home to thrive. Nearly 15% of the constituents of Virginia’s Second Congressional district are veterans. There are more than 83,000 veterans living here. In fact, Virginia, as a whole, has the third largest veteran population per capita. It’s disappointing that our own representative in Congress has supported legislation that would significantly harm this community.
Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kiggans voted for a budget bill that would lead to “30 million fewer veteran outpatient visits, and 81,000 jobs lost across the Veterans Health Administration,” according to the Veterans Administration. She also refused to support reforms on predatory payday lenders that specifically target veterans with interest rates as high as 400%. Kiggans even voiced support for a 15-week abortion ban and told The New York Times that she didn’t support subsidies for service members to travel across state lines to access abortion care, calling abortion “elective surgery.” Based on Kiggans’ record, it is clear that she would be a rubber stamp for Project 2025 and a second Trump presidency.
Project 2025 is an extreme right-wing blueprint for the next conservative presidency and it directly harms veterans. One of its main proposals is eliminating the Department of Education. This is personal to me because without the loans afforded to me through federal loan programs within that department, neither myself nor countless other veterans would have been able to afford higher education. Additionally, Project 2025 seeks to gut federal agencies and the federal workforce, which has a disproportionately high rate of veteran employment. Project 2025 would cost the jobs of thousands of veterans. It would also seek to privatize much of the Department of Veterans Affairs, making it more difficult for veterans and their families to access necessary medical care. Congresswoman Kiggans’ ties to Project 2025 are more than hypothetical. New research released this week by House Accountability War Room shows how Kiggans has already supported policies included in Project 2025.
Veterans are pillars of our communities and we need leaders who stand up for us and our neighbors, and allow us to thrive. Supporting Project 2025 policies, voting to cut veterans benefits, and threatening job opportunities for veterans is the wrong approach. Congresswoman Kiggans needs to end her duplicity and take a firm stand against Project 2025 and commit to supporting our veterans with meaningful legislation rather than partisan politics. Throughout our country’s history, veterans have always risen to the call of service. It’s what compelled me to enlist and it is what has propelled me to advocate for my fellow veterans in Virginia, and nationwide. Congresswoman Kiggans and all members of Congress should be guided by that same principle of service rather than the partisan policies of Project 2025 and wealthy donors.
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