The Jewish Community Relations Council posed a series of questions to the candidates running for Virginia’s Second Congressional District: Congresswoman Elaine Luria and State Senator Jen Kiggans. Their responses follow.
JCRC strives to motivate, educate, and advocate on issues important to the Jewish community locally, nationally, and globally. For more information about the upcoming elections on November 8, to review your registration status, and more, visit: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/.
JCRC: Democrats and Republicans both stridently support the diplomatic and strategic relationship between Israel and the United States. Why do you think that is? How do you see the shared values of Israel and the United States growing in the future?
Elaine Luria: As a 20-year Navy veteran and proud Jewish American, I know firsthand that Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and I am committed to advancing policies that support Israel and strengthen the U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship.
Both Republicans and Democrats recognize that supporting Israel is essential to our national security and stability in the region. We have a duty to stand firmly with Israel and its people in the face of attacks from terrorists and dangerous regimes who have the same goal in mind: to kill Jews. The United States and Israel are committed to democracy and stability in the Middle East and around the world, and those shared values will continue to guide and grow the relationship between our two countries and people.
JCRC: What do you say to those who think the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement is protected under the First Amendment?
EL: At every opportunity, I have voted to condemn the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement that seeks to wage economic warfare with the State of Israel. I proudly advocated for consideration and passage of H.Res. 246, a bipartisan anti-BDS resolution. The BDS movement targeting Israel does not support a two-state solution, promote coexistence, civil rights, or political reconciliation. Its supporters seek to undermine the right that the Jewish people have to their homeland and their economic security. I know that the BDS movement is antisemitic at its core, and I will always stand against the scourge of antisemitism that jeopardizes the safety of the Israeli people.
JCRC: As negotiations with the Iranian regime are currently at a standstill, what do you see as the impact of a nuclear Iran? Do you think the United States should rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action?
EL: I have been very vocal about my concerns with the Biden Administration negotiating the latest iteration of the failed JCPOA with Iran. I led a bipartisan group of members in sending a letter to the White House to address concerns surrounding an agreement with Iran. Permanently preventing a nuclear capable Iran is one of my top priorities in Congress. A nuclear Iran endangers Israel and threatens security and stability in the Middle East and around the world. If a deal were to go through, we must ensure Israel has the means to respond to the resulting threats.
JCRC: Though it manifests differently, antisemitism is on the rise from the fringes on both the right and the left of the political spectrum. Furthermore, the conspiratorial nature of antisemitism and all hatred erode the moral foundations upon which American democracy is based. How do you address antisemitism when it arises within your own party? How do you plan to act against antisemitism when you encounter it?
EL: The rise of antisemitism in our country and around the world is deeply disturbing. Antisemisitsm must be condemned loudly and forcefully in every instance, including when it occurs in my own party. Sadly, my very first speech on the House floor was denouncing antisemitism from a member of my own party. Retorting to the attacks, I asked if it hadn’t been enough that I served in the Navy for 20 years and was now serving my country in Congress. It was unfortunately the first of many speeches made addressing antisemitism. As 20-year Navy veteran and American Jew, I will always stand up to antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head. Support for Israel has long been a bipartisan pillar of American politics, and I am proud to lead the way in Congress to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
JCRC: In your view, what are the three most important issues currently facing voters in VA-2 and how do you plan to address each one legislatively?
EL: There are a number of important issues facing Coastal Virginia and our country, like protecting our democracy, standing up to China, and tackling the high costs of health care and prescription drugs.
One of the top concerns I hear from Coastal Virginians is the strain that higher prices are putting on working families and the global supply chain disruptions causing these rising prices. That’s why I have supported legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to lower the costs of prescription drugs, cut costs for working families, and tackle the root causes of inflation.
Supporting our men and women in uniform, veterans, and military families is also one of the top issues I hear from voters in Hampton Roads. I have consistently fought for and passed an increase in pay and benefits for our veterans and military families, including a nearly 5% raise for active-duty personnel in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. This year’s NDAA also includes an additional $37 billion through my amendment to grow the Navy, strengthen national security, and defend our interests against threats like China, Russia, and Iran.
JCRC: Democrats and Republicans both stridently support the diplomatic and strategic relationship between Israel and the United States. Why do you think that is? How do you see the shared values of Israel and the United States growing in the future?
Jen Kiggans: The ties between Israel and the United States are firmly rooted in our shared Judeo-Christian values. Furthermore, Israel has been a strong strategic ally for the United States in the Middle East. As tensions rise in the Middle East, the United States’ cooperation with Israel must continue to grow.
JCRC: What do you say to those who think the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement is protected under the First Amendment?
JK: Campaigns to demonize Israel and its people must be met with opposition. The BDS movement has no place and we must change the narrative in Congress and in the world. We should encourage increased economic opportunity with Israel instead of restricting it!
JCRC: As negotiations with the Iranian regime are currently at a standstill, what do you see as the impact of a nuclear Iran? Do you think the United States should rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action?
JK: The prospect of a nuclear Iran should be extremely concerning to every American and our military allies around the world. A nuclear Iran would further destabilize the Middle East and threaten Israel. Congress must prioritize restoring the strength in our military to ensure that we are a strong deterrent to an increasingly emboldened Iran. America’s priority should be to prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon and stopping any nuclear deals which would enable that. Accordingly, America can never rejoin the JCPOA.
JCRC: Though it manifests differently, antisemitism is on the rise from the fringes on both the right and the left of the political spectrum. Furthermore, the conspiratorial nature of antisemitism and all hatred erode the moral foundations upon which American democracy is based. How do you address antisemitism when it arises within your own party? How do you plan to act against antisemitism when you encounter it?
JK: Antisemitism is unacceptable and must be confronted whenever and wherever it occurs. In my career as a Navy pilot, as a nurse practitioner, and as a state senator, I have stood against discrimination wherever it occurs. We must publicly and strongly condemn such behavior when it takes place.
JCRC: In your view, what are the three most important issues currently facing voters in VA-2 and how do you plan to address each one legislatively?
JK: The most important issues facing Virginians in the 2nd District are the economy/inflation, community safety, and our standing on the world stage. For the economy, Virginians (especially our active duty military and retired people on fixed incomes) are struggling to put food on the table, put gas in their cars, and heat their homes. We must prioritize our energy independence to drive down the cost of fuel, groceries, and energy bills and stop the out-of-control spending we are seeing in Washington which is further contributing to increasing inflation.