Dear Friend,

It’s been another great week in Delaware! Keep reading to see how our team has been working to strengthen our communities and our economy.

This Week in Delaware

Expanding the Wilmington Airport

The Wilmington Airport has seen immense growth throughout the years thanks to the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). However, the current passenger terminal needs to be able to keep up with the growth. And with Avelo Airlines experiencing a record-breaking year in 2023, an expansion of the terminal could not come sooner. That’s why I was proud to join DRBA Executive Director Tom Cook, Director of the Eastern Region of the Airports Division for the Federal Aviation Administration David Fish, Senator Tom Carper, New Castle County, and other local officials to break ground on the airport’s expansion project. With federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped secure, the terminal will expand by 6,000 square feet and triple in size! Included will be a new conveyor belt, more concession options, accessible restrooms, and TSA Pre-Check.

In addition to more options for flights in and out of Wilmington, this expansion promises a return on investment. The airport generates more than $391 million annually for our economy and supports more than 2,000 jobs. This project will boost our economic development, put money back into our local businesses and communities, and create new jobs at the airport. The sky's the limit for the future of the Wilmington Airport!

Strategizing to Create More Affordable and Available Housing

I joined the Delaware Real Estate Summit this week hosted by the Delaware Association of REALTORS, the Home Builders Association of Delaware, and the Delaware State Housing Authority to share the work I’m doing at the federal level to address the affordable housing crisis impacting Delaware and our nation. The focus of the event was the past, present, and future of housing in Delaware. Currently, our state lacks more than 19,000 affordable housing units. Nationally, we’re short approximately 4 to 7 million units. This crisis didn’t happen overnight. Contributing factors include bad zoning practices, redlining, the financial crisis, supply chain disruptions, and rising construction costs.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester pictured with Cynthia Karnai, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority; Mike Riemann, President of the Home Builders Association of Delaware; and Wes Stefanick, CEO of the Delaware Association of REALTORS®

That’s why I’ve been focused on finding creative solutions to our housing supply and affordability challenges. One of which is my bipartisan Housing Supply and Affordability Act. The bill would cut red tape to help localities plan and create more affordable and available housing. The bill would do the following:

• Create a competitive grant program to increase housing availability by empowering states, local governments, tribes, and municipalities to develop comprehensive housing plans;
• Ensure that at least 10 percent of funds go to rural areas; and
• Allow the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to put together guidance on recommended policies, strategies, and reforms to streamline the development of more housing.

The Housing Supply and Affordability Act inspired the bipartisan Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Grant Program, which encourages localities to develop housing policy plans that remove barriers to affordable housing. We secured $100 million for the program and have already invested $85 million nationwide. The Housing Supply and Affordability Act would make this program permanent. Our ultimate goal is to ensure everyone from families to our seniors can thrive, and that starts with access to affordable housing. You can learn more about the bill 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. You can utilize this resource until September!
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): The State Department recently launched a new version of STEP. STEP is a free service for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates by email from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling in STEP also makes it easier to contact U.S. citizens during an emergency. You can sign up for these alerts at login.gov.
• 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.
• NEW! Free COVID Tests: Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, every household in the United States can get four free COVID tests that will be shipped to you through the United States Postal Service. You can order your tests today at covidtests.gov.

This week, I’m honoring all the brave Delawareans who’ve stepped up to assist recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. From our first responders, EMTs, and paramedics to our students, families, and community organizations, Delawareans are doing their part to help those impacted. You can read more about how Delawareans are helping here. To learn more about what President Biden and Vice President Harris are doing to provide relief to those affected by the storm, please click here.

Above: Members of fire and EMS agencies in Delaware prior to heading to North Carolina to assist with recovery efforts.

Photo: Delaware Online/Delaware Emergency Management Agency

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