This Week in Washington

Letter to Biden Administration on Menopause Research

On Monday, I sent a letter with Representative Yvette Clark of New York to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden urging the Biden Administration to prioritize menopause research in its newly established and historic White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. The initiative will bring focus to the need for increased research on important issues that are traditionally underfunded and impact women’s health across their lifespans – from cancer to menopause. Having introduced the bipartisan We’re Addressing the Realities of Menopause (WARM) Act last year, I remain committed to pushing for enhanced menopause research because we are building a menopause movement! You can read the full letter by clicking here.

Becoming the Lead Sponsor of the JOBS Act

I received unanimous consent from my colleagues this week to become the lead sponsor of the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, legislation to expand what programs are eligible for federal Pell Grant programs. This would increase access to short-term, high-quality education and training programs for students, helping us address the worker shortage by addressing the skills gap. I was proud to introduce the JOBS Act last year with former Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio who has since left Congress, and I will continue to work across the aisle to garner support for this critical bill so we can bring it to the House floor for a vote. You can watch the moment by clicking the video below:

EPA Releases New Rule on Harmful Soot Pollution

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rule that updates and strengthens the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM 2.5), also known as soot pollution. It’s one of the most widespread and health-threatening air pollutants affecting the health of communities across the country. According to the EPA, this updated rule will save lives, improve public health, and grow our economy — preventing up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays. This is great news, and I am proud to have sent the EPA a letter urging them to take this action.

Increasing Blood Clot Awareness

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP, Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), and Deron Cornell Burton, MD, JD, MPH (CAPT, US Public Health Service), Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics to talk about how we can better prevent, treat, and monitor blood clots. Last year, I introduced bipartisan legislation named in honor of my late husband, Charles, who passed away from blood clots and would launch a national campaign to increase public awareness of blood clot signs and symptoms. I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood clots so we can save lives.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Dr. Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP, Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Deron Cornell Burton, MD, JD, MPH (CAPT, US Public Health Service), Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics, and Abigail Durak, Health Policy Analyst for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This Week in Delaware

160th Engineer Vertical Construction Company Returns Home

This week, my staff attended the homecoming ceremony for the members of the Delaware National Guard’s 160th Engineer Vertical Construction Company (ECVV), which spent the past year supporting our military operations in Southeast Asia. I had the honor and privilege to address these servicemembers at their departure ceremony last year where I thanked them for their invaluable service to our nation. To the 160^th – thank you for your commitment to protecting our state and nation and welcome home!

NEWS: Exciting Opportunity for Delaware High School Marching Bands!

I have the honor of nominating five high school marching bands in Delaware for the National Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2025, in Washington, DC! This is a great opportunity available to Delaware high school marching bands to perform in front of thousands of spectators in our nation’s capital.

If your school is interested in being considered for a nomination, please contact my Wilmington office at 302-830-2330. My office will randomly select from the interested schools and make our official nominations shortly after. For more information, including the answers to FAQs, please visit July4thParade.com.

REMINDER: Internship Applications Due March 18!

Having started my career in public service as an intern for then-Congressman Tom Carper, I’ve seen first-hand just how valuable an experience internships are. That’s why I wanted to let you know that my office is now accepting internship applications for my Washington, DC and Delaware offices for the summer of 2024.

Complete applications are due by Monday, March 18, 2024, by COB. This is an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about public service and gain experience working in a congressional office. For more information on how to apply, please visit my website here.

This week’s consistent corner is Special Olympics Delaware (SODE) who visited me in Washington this week during their annual Hill Day! SODE provides vital support and resources to people with disabilities across the First State, and I am proud to be a champion for Special Olympics in Congress.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Special Olympics Delaware Athlete Donna Walton and Donna's sister, Wilma Holt.

Photo: Ray Coletti, Special Olympics Delaware

Lastly, I’m wishing the Chinese American community in Delaware and across the country a happy New Year! May the year of the dragon be a lucky, healthy, and prosperous one for you and your family.

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester signature image