I am proud to share that this week, my bipartisan Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, which passed through the House of Representatives last week in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)!

This momentum shows how united Congress is in tackling this serious issue. Rep. Larry Bucshon M.D. (R-Ind.), my co-lead on the bill, and I will continue working with our counterparts in the Senate to get this bill enacted into law so that we can keep the United States competitive, reinvigorate our supply chain output, lower costs for consumers, and create good-paying jobs. To read more about the bill, click here.

This Week in Washington

Working to Keep our Kids, Families, and Seniors Safe Online

The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee on which I am a member of held a markup to review legislation such as the American Privacy Rights Act and the Kids Online Safety Act that would enact federal data privacy standards and protect kids online.

Last Congress, I introduced a bipartisan bill called the DETOUR Act which would prohibit online platforms from using dark patterns which are design features that could deceive Americans into handing over their data or giving their consent. The bill would also forbid platforms from using people, especially children, as test subjects in behavioral or psychological research without their express consent. I was encouraged that the heart of provisions from the DETOUR Act were included in the bills we discussed at the markup. You can watch my full remarks by clicking the video below:

Expanding Access and Affordability of Naloxone

In Delaware, Kent and Sussex counties have faced a spike in overdose deaths in recent weeks underscoring a clear and immediate need for additional resources to help combat the opioid epidemic. I’ve long fought to expand access to naloxone, having introduced the Naloxone Affordability Act last year. And just last week, I sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office Comptroller General urging action be taken on a study on the accessibility and affordability of FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal agents, including naloxone and nalmefene. To read more about my work on combating this crisis and the letter itself, click here.

Continuing the Fight for Justice Four Years After George Floyd’s Death

Today marks four years since George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and this week, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was reintroduced in the House. I voted for the bill last Congress, and it passed the House. However, the Senate failed to act on it. While the bill hasn’t seen the movement it should have, the Biden Administration has worked towards implementing the tenets of the bill through an executive order.

We know that there is more we can and must do in the fight for justice – for George Floyd’s memory and for the safety of our communities.

Ensuring Delawareans are Covered

I was pleased to welcome some familiar faces to the Capitol this week: Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Tanisha Merced. Ensuring that every Delawarean can access quality insurance is important to me. Nearly 45,000 Delawareans signed up for health insurance through the marketplace last season – an increase of 29% from 2023 and 77% from 2021! We need to ensure that premiums remain low.

We also talked about property insurance and the need to enhance our climate resiliency efforts to prevent damage. I shared with them that the House voted in a bipartisan manner on legislation this week — which I supported – to provide tax relief for people in Delaware and across the country who are impacted by federally declared disasters such as Hurricane Ida. I’ll continue to stay engaged on this topic to help Delawareans get the coverage they need.

This Week in Delaware

Observing Memorial Day

Ahead of the official observance on Monday, I joined the Delaware Department of State’s Office of Veterans Services Memorial Day Service. As we gathered at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, we reflected on those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our country.

In my remarks, I told the story of a veteran buried in the cemetery — Sergeant Nino DeFlaviis. He served as an electrician in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. As described by his family, he was “a truly giving person and always looked to help others.” And that desire to help led other members of his family to devote their lives to public service — including his niece, Krista Weed, who is the senior caseworker in my office. She is helping veterans get the care they need and tracking down military records to properly remember their service. She is his legacy of service. Memorial Day isn’t about going on picnics or shopping the holiday sales — it’s about remembering, reflecting, and honoring the stories of those who have courageously served and sacrificed for our nation. We are forever indebted to them.

Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders

I was honored to join Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons at our annual Delegation Youth Conference this week at Delaware State University. Every year I look forward to hearing directly from high school students from across our state on the issues important to them.

As I told the students, their generation has shown that they are capable of sparking a nationwide movement to bring about policy changes. While a lot more needs to be done on issues like gun violence or the climate crisis, their generation will continue to lead the way. I’m confident that we’re in good hands.

PACT Act Benefits Webinar

Next Wednesday, May 29th at 10:00 am, my office will be hosting a webinar to ensure veterans across our state have access to information on eligibility and benefits through the PACT Act. To register for the webinar, click here.

The PACT Act, which I supported in Congress, secured the largest expansion of VA benefits in our history. It expanded eligibility to veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. In fact, just this week we learned that over 1 million PACT Act claims have now been granted to 888,000 veterans and survivors across the country. In Delaware, nearly 5,000 veterans have submitted claims under the PACT Act.

Internship Applications Due June 10!

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 fall of 2024.

Complete applications are due by Monday, June 10, 2024, by close of business. 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.

Below are some helpful resources for you:

Lower Energy Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped pass last Congress, there are opportunities to lower your energy costs through tax credits and rebates. Check out energy.gov/save to learn more.
Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up-to-date! You can go to travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to passportappointment.travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel. You can utilize this resource until September!
988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline.
Student Loan SAVE Program: The Biden Harris Administration announced the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan. This program is income-driven and calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any Income-Driven Repayment plan available to nearly all student borrowers. To apply for the SAVE Plan, go to studentaid.gov/idr.
U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more about at exchanges.state.gov/us.

This week’s constituent corner celebrates Roshik Patibandla, a student from Middletown! Roshik recently earned the Congressional Award’s silver medal for outstanding voluntary service, personal development, dedication to physical fitness, and an interest in exploration/expedition. I was pleased to have the chance to speak to Roshik this week and really enjoyed our conversation on the future of tech as well as the ins and outs of being a Congresswoman. Congratulations again, Roshik!

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress