Dear friend,

It’s been another busy week in Washington as we finish up the July work period and get ready to spend some time in our states throughout August. It’s also one of my favorite weeks of the year - State Fair Week! The festivities in Harrington have officially kicked off and I hope you’ll stop by our booth in the Delaware building. I hope you and your families have a restful and relaxing weekend, and as always, please find some important updates below. 

This Week in Washington

Joint Address from Israeli President Herzog

This week, I was able to hear from Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a joint meeting of Congress. An address to a joint session of Congress is one of the highest honors we can afford foreign dignitaries, and I was pleased that the invitation was extended to President Herzog. He brought a strong message that outlined the enduring alliance and special relationship shared by Israel and the United States. I’ve been proud to work in Congress to help support Israel as we seek a two-state solution and sustained peace in the Middle East. 

President Herzog also visited the White House to have a bilateral meeting with President Biden to honor the 75th Anniversary of Israel’s independence and underscore our ironclad commitment to Israel's right of self-determination.

Housing Alliance Delaware

I was also thrilled to spend some time with advocates from Housing Alliance Delaware. We discussed my legislation, the Housing Supply and Affordability Act which would help increase affordable housing stock and bring down the cost of rent. The Housing Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with partners to address the affordable housing needs in our communities and solve the crisis of homelessness. I remain grateful for their work and advocacy. 

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and leaders from Housing Alliance Delaware.

Second Chance Townhall

This week, I also participated in a town hall hosted by the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. The town hall brought together a broad set of stakeholders from across the political spectrum to talk about second-chance legislation. I was proud to talk about my work on the Clean Slate Act, along with my work on the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force. Giving those who have served their time a second chance and a clean slate isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. The town hall was taped and will be broadcast in the near future - I’ll be sure to share details when we have them, so stay tuned!

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester at the Second Chance Townhall.

This Week in Delaware

An important reminder that my office is hosting a Constituent Resource Fair on Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Wilmington University New Castle Campus in the Audrey K. Doberstein Admissions Center. Over 40 federal and state agencies as well as community organizations will be in attendance to share their services. Delawareans from across the First State are invited to attend this fair at no charge. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

For more information about the Fair and for a full list of agencies, please visit my website by clicking here. Hope to see you there!

PACT ACT ANNOUNCEMENT

I wanted to offer another reminder on an approaching deadline. The PACT Act,  which I proudly voted for last Congress, is perhaps the largest health care and benefits expansion in VA history. It’s estimated that more than 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances would become eligible for health care benefits, helping us deliver on our sacred obligation to support our veterans.

While there’s no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits, if you file your PACT Act claim—or quickly submit your intent to file—by August 9, 2023, you may be eligible to receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2023. 

For more information or to file a claim, go to VA.gov/PACT.

This week’s constituent corner highlights the good folks at the Delaware State Fair who make one of our state’s favorite attractions run smoothly. From the many staffers, volunteers, and attendees, who make the State Fair so special - thank you! For over a century, Delawareans and folks from across the country have flocked to Harrington to see the very best of Delaware’s agricultural sector, one of the primary economic drivers of our state, and to enjoy some classic fair food. 

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

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