Dear Friend,

On the announcement from President Joe Biden this past week, words cannot express my deep gratitude for his service to our state and country. I have personally seen how hard he has worked for our country and for our world. The President has brought us through some of the most challenging and perilous times, and we are stronger as a nation for it.

I know I join countless Delawareans and people across the country in thanking him and his family for his service to the American people. He will leave a legacy as one of the most consequential presidents ever, and I look forward to continuing to work with President Biden and his entire Administration to deliver for the American people for the remainder of his term.

This Week in Washington

Protecting the Right to IVF

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, reproductive freedom has been attacked across the country, from extreme abortion bans to efforts to prevent access to contraception and IVF. For the first time in our nation’s history, a right was taken away from us – and we cannot allow IVF access to be next.

IVF access is personal to me – it’s what made me a grandmother. That’s why I signed a discharge petition this week ahead of World IVF Day to force a vote on the Right to IVF Act on the House Floor. The legislation would enshrine the right to IVF into federal law. As a reminder, a discharge petition is a legislative procedure to bring a bill to the House Floor for a vote. I’ll continue to fight to protect a woman’s fundamental right to decide how and when to start a family.

Keeping Delawareans Safe During Extreme Weather Events

This past Sunday was the world’s hottest day in recorded history. As extreme weather becomes more severe and more frequent, it’s never been more important that families in Delaware and across the country don’t have to worry about having their utilities shut off during extreme weather events such as heat waves and cold snaps.

That’s why, this week, I was proud to reintroduce the Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events (PUDDLE) Act alongside Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington that would create shutoff moratoriums for both cold and hot weather. As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware feels the impact of the climate crisis every day so it’s imperative that families across our state have the peace of mind that their utilities won’t be shut off, especially Black and minority families that are disproportionately impacted by utility shutoffs. I look forward to continue to work with Congresswoman DelBene and our colleagues to get this bill passed and to President Biden’s desk. You can read more about our legislation by clicking here.

REMINDER: SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

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.

I’m also excited to share that my office will be hosting our next mobile office hours at the Delmar Public Library on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Members of the casework team will be on hand to assist Delawareans who need help with federal agencies including passport and visa processing, securing your Social Security benefits, and getting your tax refund from the IRS. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Take the Challenge!

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge is under way! This is a great opportunity for students interested in STEM to use their skills to solve the issues of today and tomorrow. Applications will be accepted now through October 24, 2024. To find out more info on how to sign up, please visit my website. You can also check out when I visited last year’s winners at their school to see one of the innovative projects first-hand.

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. 
• NEW! Calculate Your Potential Savings: The Biden-Harris Administration’s actions are helping to lower costs and put more money back into the pockets of Americans across the country. You can calculate your potential savings at Invest.gov/Savings.
• 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.
• NEW! Protecting Your Data: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, legislation protecting the personal data of Delawareans, goes into effect on January 1, 2025. You can go to this website from the Delaware Department of Justice to find out how it will impact consumers, parents, and businesses in our state.

This week’s constituent corner celebrates the three Delaware natives who will be competing for Team USA in the Summer Olympics this year! Malacchi Esdale (Rugby), Megumi Field (Artistic Swimming), and Erin Gemmell (Swimming) have mastered their respective sports, and I know I join our entire state in wishing them the best of luck as they embark on this ultimate showcase of their athletic prowess. Go bring home the gold! #GoTeamUSA

Photo: Getty Images

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

Contact Me