Staff Reports
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) is unhappy with the version of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill passed by the House. She is especially concerned about the reductions in funding to fiscal year 2022 levels. Kiggans represents a district that contains five military bases, some of whose housing is in deplorable condition. She has been attempting to draw attention to the deplorable living conditions at Naval Station Oceana, but her pleas for additional funding have been disregarded by lawmakers determined to cut expenditure.
Freshman GOP @RepJenKiggans, a former Navy helicopter pilot, has made a lane for herself as a defense hawk in the House and someone who wants to prioritize a strong military and the well-being of its personnel. https://t.co/c3t4hCvwVE
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 30, 2023
Former Navy helicopter pilot Kiggans characterized the accommodations on Oceana as "pitiful." Due to neglect and poor construction, only 49% of the unaccompanied sailor housing on the base is inhabitable, and many dwellings have been condemned. She wanted the military construction appropriations measure to include funding for base repairs, but spending-conscious conservatives in the conference prevented this from happening.
Instead of eliminating the defense budget, Kiggans believes that Congress should reprioritize its spending and find other places to make reductions. She is devoted to a robust military and the welfare of service members. She believes that the requirements of service members are not being addressed and that their concerns are receiving less attention than other issues. She desires housing and amenity enhancements on military bases, not only for the sake of the current generation of service members, but also for the sake of her own children who will soon join the military.
Kiggans acknowledges that these enhancements require financing, and she wants the House to prioritize the welfare of service members. She believes the decision to remain in the military or resign is frequently influenced by the quality of life for service members and their families. Kiggans believes this aspect has been overlooked and desires to bring it to light. In general, she believes that more must be done to support service members and their families, both in terms of their living conditions and mental readiness for potential conflicts.
