NORFOLK, Va. — The presidential race isn't the only one you'll see on the ballot this November.
13News Now is beginning a months-long effort this election season to verify every local campaign ad you see on television. We’ll start in the Second Congressional District with incumbent Republican Jen Kiggans.
Congresswoman Kiggans’ new ad is one of the first of the 2024 campaign season. But does every claim pass the Verify test?
“With these hands, Jen Kiggans comforted hearts and healed wounds,” the ad states. “Today, these same hands continue to serve, working to bring down costs for Virginia families, and get our veterans the care they deserve.”
Let's start with the claim about bringing down costs for Virginia families.
Her website says “she fought to expand the Child Tax Credit.” And in fact, she did vote for that bill as it passed the House.
But the U.S. Senate just recently voted against that bill, so it does no good for Virginia families.
However, Kiggans’ ad says she is "working" to bring down costs, implying that her efforts are a work in progress.
So we can verify that the claim is true.
Let’s move on to that second claim about “getting our veterans the care they deserve.”
Kiggans voted in 2023 to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs.
She also introduced a bill known as the “COPE Act.” It would increase “mental health resources to veterans’ caregivers and improve safety at VA medical facilities.”
The House passed her bill, but the Senate has yet to vote on it. But remember, her ad said she is “working” to get veterans’ care.
So, we can verify that claim is also true.
But, of course, additional context is always helpful. That’s why we’re dissecting these ads for you all election season as these commercials will start ramping up in the next few weeks.