Dear Friend,

Our nation experienced another sad day this week due to gun violence. The horrific mass shooting that took place at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia was heartbreaking. Four innocent people were killed - two students and two teachers - and nine more were injured. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Winder community as they grapple with this unbelievable tragedy.

We cannot stand by while people continue to be killed at schools, in grocery stores, at houses of worship, or in movie theaters. We deserve to be safe in all public spaces. While Congress made progress with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislative action taken to address gun violence in nearly 30 years, we know that we have a lot more to do to keep our communities safe and break the cycle of violence. I’m proud that Delaware has been a real leader on this issue, and I will continue to advocate at the federal level for gun violence prevention laws nationwide, including an assault weapons ban.

This Week in Delaware

Connecting Delawareans to Affordable Health Care

Federally qualified health care centers, such as Westside Family Healthcare, help Delawareans get the essential health care services they need at a low cost. It’s why I was glad to help secure a federal grant of $1.5 million to support Westside’s health insurance navigator program. Westside’s navigators provide free assistance to Delawareans looking for health care coverage, including those in under-resourced communities. Last year, a record number of Delawareans signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace, in part due to the important work of navigators. When uninsured people gain access to health care services, that means that they can get treatments earlier and more routinely. It also lowers uncompensated care costs for providers which costs our health care system billions. These types of federal investments that I’ve been proud to secure help more people get covered, increase access to preventive services, reduce uncompensated care costs, and help us all live healthier lives at lower costs. Read more about the funding here.

Apply for a Service Academy Nomination!

Every year, I have the honor of nominating Delaware’s next generation of leaders to attend our nation's prestigious service academies. This year's application deadline is Friday, September 13, 2024, by close of business.

Members of Congress nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found on my website here.

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

Delaware’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge is underway! 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. For more information, please go to 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.
• 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. 
• 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 the recent graduates of the Food Bank of Delaware’s Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control (L.O.G.I.C.) Program! My staff were glad to join the graduation ceremony at the Food Bank’s Milford location this past Wednesday. L.O.G.I.C. is a 14-week program that gives students the skills and work experience they need to take on jobs in the warehousing/logistics industry. They also get the opportunity to earn a few different certifications! Programs like this are key to helping us grow our state’s workforce and strengthen our supply chains all while setting Delawareans up for success. Congratulations, graduates! To learn more, click here.

As always, If you ever need assistance with federal agencies, please contact my office. My team can help with a wide range of issues including (but not limited to):

• United States Postal Service
• Social Security Administration
• Veterans Affairs benefits and services
• Passport and visa processing
• Citizenship and naturalization

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

Contact Me