Dear Friend,

I have some exciting news to share – my office is hosting another Constituent Resource Fair on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Wilmington University New Castle Campus in the Audrey K. Doberstein Admissions Center! Last year, more than 40 federal and state agencies, non-profits, and community organizations helped hundreds of Delawareans at our Fair. So, whether you’re having an issue with a federal agency or are looking for some community resources – we hope you can make it! For more information and to RSVP, click here.

This Week in Washington

Championing our Firefighters

Every day, firefighters put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe. That’s why, in May, I was proud to vote for the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which President Biden signed into law this week! Thanks to this newly enacted law, fire departments across Delaware will continue to have the resources they need to train and prepare our courageous firefighters. To all our firefighters and first responders – thank you for all you do to protect our communities.

Delawareans in DC

We can’t address homelessness without addressing the housing crisis impacting our state and nation. This week, I was glad to meet with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, including members of Housing Alliance Delaware and YWCA DE. They shared their priorities with me, and I thanked them for their partnership and advocacy to get every Delawarean into a safe, stable, and affordable home. I’ll continue to advocate for legislation at the federal level such as the bicameral Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act that I introduced with Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania across the finish line. That bill would establish new national frameworks and guidance to empower local governments to address regulatory barriers to affordable housing supply. You can read more about that legislation here.

I also met with Bob Fulton and Corey Miklus, the superintendents of Cape Henlopen School District and Caesar Rodney School District, respectively. We had a great discussion about everything from robust funding for our schools to teacher retention and AI in the classroom.

This Week in Delaware

Investing in our Clean Energy Future

I was proud to join Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons in announcing a new federal grant of nearly $5 million to the Delaware Transit Corporation. The funding was made possible through the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that we championed in Congress. The project will build out the infrastructure at the Dover Transit Center through new solar panels, a new solar-powered bus shelter, increased bicycle parking and repair stations, and plants native to the region to increase pollination. Investments like this one are helping us create a healthier and more sustainable future right here in Delaware all while reducing our carbon footprint and creating good-paying clean energy jobs. You can read more about the announcement in Delaware Business Times.

Expanding School-Based Health Services

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Delaware will receive $2.5 million to expand health care resources offered at public schools across our state. This grant will go toward enhancing facilities, recruiting health care providers, and/or developing systems to further reinvest in growing school-based health care offerings. It comes directly from a provision that Senator Carper co-authored in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – legislation I proudly supported in Congress.

With our young people facing more health challenges than ever before, access to school-based health care services has never been more important. This funding will increase support for our young people, providing them with the tools and trained professionals they need to succeed. I’ll continue to advocate in Congress to further expand health services for children, including mental and behavioral health services in our schools and across our health care systems. If you’d like to learn more about the announcement, click here. 

 Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Informed!

As Delaware continues to experience extreme heat, I want to be sure that you have the tools to stay cool! Heat.gov has a plethora of heat safety resources and tips. Remember – stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay Informed!

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 four Delaware women who have made significant contributions to our state. Raye Jones Avery, Julissa Coriano, Anna Marie Leo, and Colonel Melissa Zebley are this year’s inductees to the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame! All four of these pioneering women have spent their careers making Delaware a better place to live and work. You can read more about this year’s honorees here.

Photo: The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

Contact Me