Dear Friend,

Wednesday was a most solemn day for our nation — it marked 23 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As we continue to remember the events of that day, mourn the innocent lives lost, and honor the courageous first responders who jumped into harm’s way, we must also renew our sacred promise to Never Forget.

My staff was honored to join the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) for its annual 9/11 remembrance event at Delaware Military Academy in Wilmington.

Above: The NJROTC remembrance event honoring those lost on September 11, 2001.

This Week in Washington

Working Across the Aisle to Strengthen Our Supply Chains

This week, I participated in a fireside chat during the U.S. Department of Commerce and Council on Foreign Relations’ inaugural Supply Chain Summit. My colleague, Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.), joined me for a conversation titled, “A Competitive America: Supply Chains, Jobs, and Consumers.” The focus of our discussion was the need for a comprehensive approach to strengthen our supply chains. You can watch my full panel by clicking the video below:

Dr. Bucshon's and my bipartisan legislation, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, would do just that — create a strategic, whole-of-government approach to proactively prevent supply chain shocks and disruptions like we saw during the pandemic. The pandemic shined a bright light on just how vulnerable and complex our supply chains are. I’ve seen firsthand how supply chain disruptions have impacted Delaware families, businesses, and industries across our economy – from car dealerships having barely any cars on their lots to distilleries having to change their entire manufacturing process to families struggling to find baby formula.

Our bill has seen strong bipartisan and bicameral support. It passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously and passed the full House of Representatives in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 390-19. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). It has a real chance at becoming law because of its proactive, comprehensive, and bipartisan approach. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Bucshon to get this bill across the finish line so we can strengthen our supply chains, create more good-paying jobs, and lower costs for consumers all while boosting our nation’s competitiveness and protecting our national security. To learn more, please click here.

From left to right: Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.), Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Steve Clemons, Founding Editor at Large for Semafor.

This Week in Delaware

Strengthening Delaware’s Economy

I was proud to announce federal investments alongside Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons in some of the economic drivers of our state — our airports and the Cape-May Lewes Ferry!

We secured almost $9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for improvements to the Wilmington Airport, the Delaware Airpark in Dover, and the Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown. This funding will help expand the capacity of our airports to deliver general and commercial aviation, create jobs, and support our local and small businesses.

We also announced funding we secured to replace an over 40-year-old diesel engine ferry with a diesel-hybrid ferry. The Cape-May Lewes Ferry's operations sustain over 4,000 jobs while generating tens of millions of dollars in local taxes and hundreds of millions in regional economic activity. And for every $1 invested in the Ferry, $20 of economic activity is generated. This investment will advance the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s work to modernize the Cape-May Lewes Ferry fleet to connect more people to our state, stimulating our economy, reducing emissions, and making our communities healthier.

You can read more about these investments by clicking here and here.

UPCOMING: Mobile Office Hours in Dover!

My office will be hosting mobile office hours at the Kent County Public Library on Friday, September 27th. 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.

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 Sunday marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month where we come together to celebrate the culture and contributions of the Hispanic community in Delaware and across the nation. This year’s celebration has an important theme: “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” That’s why, for this week’s constituent corner, we’re highlighting a true pioneer – Maria Matos, President and CEO of the Latin American Community Center. Maria is a passionate and dedicated community leader who always searches for ways to empower Hispanic families throughout our state. It’s one of the reasons why I was proud to have secured federal funding for a new Infant and Toddler Center at the LACC in Wilmington. Yesterday, my staff joined LACC’s Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff and thanked Maria for her efforts. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Left to right: Maria Matos and Shania Trammell, caseworker and grant specialist for Rep. Blunt Rochester, at the LACC’s Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff.

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