New GOP lawmaker raises concerns over rundown military housing in district.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Freshman Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) Fights for Military Housing
When Freshman Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) discovered that the House’s version of the Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Appropriations bill would drastically reduce funding to fiscal 2022 levels, she was devastated. As a former Navy helicopter pilot and representative of a military-heavy district with five bases, Kiggans understood the urgent need for adequate housing. Unfortunately, her pleas for additional funding to address the deplorable living conditions at Naval Station Oceana were ignored.
A Call for Action
Kiggans described the housing situation at Oceana as “pitiful,” with only 49% of unaccompanied sailor housing deemed livable. Mold problems and shoddy construction have rendered many homes uninhabitable. Despite her efforts to include funding for necessary repairs in the military construction appropriations bill, conservative members of the conference prioritized spending cuts over the well-being of servicemembers.
“I was kicking and screaming and pretty much yelling at people like, ‘Is there anything we can do? Is there an amendment? Is there a floor amendment?’ I’m trying to understand the process of Congress, how to get things done, and we had missed that,” Kiggans expressed her frustration.
A Plea for Prioritization
Kiggans firmly believes that Congress must prioritize spending and allocate funds where they are most needed. While she acknowledges the overall spending problem, she argues that cuts should not come at the expense of the defense budget and servicemember well-being.
“I think we need to reprioritize,” she emphasized. “I mean, for me, the defense budget is not enough. It was a 3% increase is what the president asked for from last year, and inflation hovers about 6%. So that’s really a decrease when you do the math.”
A Voice for Servicemembers
Kiggans has established herself as a defense hawk in the House, advocating for a strong military and the well-being of its personnel. However, she feels that the needs of servicemembers are often overlooked, with other topics taking precedence.
“I just want to beat my head on a wall about housing. It just frustrates me to no end,” Kiggans expressed her exasperation. “At least demolish the buildings when we see these condemned buildings. And they’re bad.”
More Than Just Housing
The issues extend beyond housing; amenities have also fallen into disrepair. The base pool is closed, the gas station doesn’t work, and the baseball field is off-limits. Kiggans believes that these amenities are crucial for service members and their families, providing them with a better quality of life.
Looking towards the future, Kiggans envisions her children, all of whom are entering the military, including her son in flight school, stationed at Oceana. She wants them to have the necessary resources and luxuries to prepare for potential conflicts.
“To think of my son who’s in flight school and his friends who are in flight school, they’re going to one day be here at Oceana, they’re going to be training to go to war, and I want them to have all the luxuries that they need to be able to prepare for that mentally prepare their families for that because there’s a real possibility we may have a conflict on our hands in the not too far away future,” she explained.
A Plea for Change
For Kiggans, making these improvements requires a shift in priorities within the House. It’s not just about Oceana; it’s about ensuring that servicemembers across the country receive the support they deserve.
“We can do better than this. But it’s going to take some funding,” she asserted. “We need our service members to be proud of the job they do. A lot of the decision whether to stay in and get out is going to be because of the wife. How was their local living conditions? Do they have good housing? Do they have good schools? Are they able to get healthcare for their families? So those are the issues that I am extra focused on because I feel like we’ve neglected that the most.”
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