PORTSMOUTH, Va. — As chaos ensues at the nation's capital, two Hampton Roads Congressional Representatives were in town Monday — Congressman Bobby Scott and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans.
During the Hampton Roads Chamber’s annual Congressional Forum in Portsmouth, the two spoke on the race for the next Speaker of the House, the looming potential for a government shutdown and the war in Israel.
Kiggans called the last two weeks "frustrating" and "chaotic" as the race for who will replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker drags on. McCarthy was ousted by a small number of Republicans in a historic move two weeks ago.
"It’s troubling that one of the main reasons that the speaker was removed from office was the fact that he actually worked with Democrats to actually keep the government open," Scott said.
Since McCarthy was voted out, the House of Representatives has been in unprecedented limbo, paralyzing half of Congress.
"It’s been a very frustrating two weeks honestly. It’s been chaotic. I don’t understand some of the things that we’ve had a minority of my side of the aisle that’s been able to be the louder voice and become a majority, so we have work to do," Kiggans said.
She said she applauds McCarthy for working across the aisle to keep the government open for at least 45 days, even with his job on the line.
"For me, a government shutdown was absolutely the worst thing to do," she said.
Republican Jim Jordan was nominated by his party to run for the next Speaker of the House. That vote is slated to happen Tuesday. However, many don't think he has the votes to win.
Congressman Scott said he doesn’t think Jordan will work across the aisle with Democrats, which he said is necessary. He said there are others that will.
"There must be at least 50 members of the Republican party that could get 100 Democratic votes," Scott said.
Kiggans has not responded to our question of how she will vote, but did say this during the forum:
"We go back up tomorrow at noon is when session starts, so we need to make sure that we you know elect a speaker. Let’s put that behind us and let’s get to work."
Another topic on people’s minds is the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. Both representatives said democracy depends on the U.S. standing by Israel.
"Both Israel and Ukraine know that we’re going to stand by our allies. They need to know that and their enemies need to know that. Democracy is at stake," said Scott.
Kiggans agreed, saying, "if we don't have world peace, we have nothing."
"I support their right to self-defense. It's hard to watch what's happening and it seems to get worse by the day," she said. "If we are not strong and don’t stand against the aggressors of the world, then we see things like what happened in Israel."
Both also emphasized support for Ukraine as their war against Russia continues.
However, Kiggans said she supports Ukraine with accountability, not with a blank check.