Dear Friend,

Two years ago today, President Biden signed the Honoring our PACT Act into law. The PACT Act marked the most significant expansion of benefits and care for toxic exposed veterans and their survivors in more than 30 years. I was proud to support the historic legislation in Congress, and to date, over 5,700 veterans have submitted PACT Act claims right here in Delaware. Alongside the Biden-Harris Administration, we’re ensuring that veterans who’ve served our state and nation are getting the benefits and care they have not only earned but deserve. For more information on eligibility or to file a claim, go to VA.gov/PACT. You can also watch a recording of a PACT Act webinar our office held recently by clicking the video below.

I also want to remind you that our office’s next Constituent Resource Fair is officially less than one week away! Next Thursday, August 15th from 10 am to 3 pm, more than 40 federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and community partners will come together in New Castle for our fair. The Social Security Administration, Delaware State Housing Authority, Delaware Department of Labor, and more will be on hand to help Delawareans. The Veterans Benefits Administration will also be in attendance to conduct PACT Act screenings. So, whether you’re having an issue with a federal agency or are looking for some resources – we hope you can make it! For a full list of agencies and organizations attending and to RSVP, please go to my website by clicking here or below.

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

This Week in Delaware

Championing Delaware’s Farmers

This week, I was proud to announce nearly $700,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to 15 Delaware farmers – six of whom are current producers and nine who are planning to start farms. The program aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in obtaining USDA loans prior to January 2021.

Having been the first Delawarean to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in over 120 years, I know how important it is to support the growth of Delaware’s agriculture sector. This investment will help farmers who have historically faced discrimination in farm loan programs grow their businesses, produce healthy food, and contribute to our economy. I commend President Biden and Vice President Harris for taking action to ensure equity, accessibility, and inclusivity for farmers in Delaware and across the country. Read more about the announcement from WRDE by clicking here.

Two Years of the CHIPS and Science Act

Yesterday marked two years since President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. Since then, this legislation has bolstered Delaware’s economy by creating good-paying manufacturing jobs, fostering American innovation, and supporting our national security. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States is positioned to reestablish itself as a leader in manufacturing. In two years, we have directed $53 billion in our semiconductor manufacturing, research, development, and workforce, which has spurred nearly $400 billion in additional investments from the private sector. Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act and other historic legislation, the Biden-Harris Administration has dramatically enhanced manufacturing and innovation in the American economy.

In Delaware, we've seen how this impact has made a difference. From the $50 million investment in DuPont’s semiconductor production facility in Glasgow, to Fujifilm’s new dispersion manufacturing plants in New Castle, our state’s manufacturing sector only continues to grow and generate jobs for our people. In fact, just yesterday, I, alongside Senator Carper and Senator Coons, announced another investment made possible through the CHIPS and Science Act that will keep the momentum going for the PROPEL Tech Hub to advance its leadership and innovation in precision medicine. 

I’ve been proud to build on the work of the CHIPS and Science Act through my efforts to strengthen our supply chains. As we mark this milestone for the CHIPS and Science Act, I applaud President Biden and Vice President Harris for shepherding this legislation into law, and I remain committed to building on this progress by getting my bipartisan and bicameral supply chain legislation, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, across the finish line to further lower costs and strengthen Delaware’s economy.

In case you missed it, WDEL highlighted the funding from FEMA that I secured alongside Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons to rebuild the Bancroft Mills Pedestrian Bridge in Wilmington. The bridge was damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021 but now, we will be able to restore this important connector of the Wilmington community. Read more about this major update by clicking here.

CALLING ALL STUDENTS: It’s Time to Take the Challenge!

Delaware’s 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 24th. To find out more info on how to sign up, please see 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. 
• 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.
• 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 Logan Herring. With deep roots in Wilmington, Logan has spent his career serving and empowering his community. Logan serves as CEO of THE WRK Group, which is made up of three nonprofits – Kingswood Community Center, REACH Riverside, and the Teen Warehouse – focused on strengthening Wilmington’s Riverside community by offering resources, support, and access to jobs, education, and affordable housing.

This week, Logan, alongside staff and state and local leaders, broke ground on a new, 81,000 sq-ft. Kingswood Community Center that will be an updated space to serve generations to come. For decades, the Kingswood Community Center has been an anchor of the Riverside neighborhood – it’s why I’m proud to have worked with Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons to secure federal funding that made the groundbreaking possible. This week, we thank and celebrate Logan for all he does every day to bring access and equity to the Riverside community. Together, we are ensuring that the Kingswood Community Center can continue to fulfill The WRK Group’s crucial mission of empowering the community to reach its full potential. You can read more about the new Kingswood Community Center here.

Photo: Logan Herring and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

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