Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) is under scrutiny for pushing millions of dollars in earmarks that would benefit companies that donated to her election campaign, according to a report by Politico on Thursday. Kiggans, a former Virginia state senator, was elected in 2022, unseating Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria.
The report revealed that satellite company Rocket Lab’s political PAC contributed $3,500 to Kiggans over the past two years, while agribusiness giant Tyson Foods donated $1,000 last year. Both companies stand to benefit from a Kiggans-backed proposal for $7.4 million in appropriations to extend a natural gas pipeline from Maryland to Eastern Virginia. Rocket Lab considered the pipeline last year for fuel, and Tyson Foods was identified as a “potential anchor customer” for the extension.
When asked for comment, Rocket Lab stated that the pipeline extension was not among the items they lobbied for from the House Appropriations Committee. Earmarks were largely absent from legislation throughout the 2010s after House Republicans abolished them. They were restored as a means for members of Congress to request funding for specific projects benefiting their constituents.
However, earmarks have faced criticism for creating the appearance of quid pro quo arrangements, where lawmakers can seemingly reward their supporters with federal funding for projects that benefit them. During her original campaign for office, Kiggans faced mockery for plagiarizing her opponent’s op-ed in a fundraising email. This latest report adds to the controversy surrounding her tenure.
The scrutiny over Kiggans’ actions highlights the ongoing debate about the ethics of earmarks and the potential for conflicts of interest. As earmarks remain a tool for securing funding for local projects, the question of whether they serve the public interest or private benefactors continues to be a contentious issue in Congress.