Dear Friend,

As a former constituent caseworker in a congressional office, I’m proud to share that a recent survey of Delawareans my office has assisted found that 100% of respondents would refer others to our office. Our focus will always be on getting results for the people of Delaware. Keep reading for more updates from my team and me.

This Week in Delaware

In case you didn’t see, yesterday, Governor John Carney issued a statewide drought watch. This means that Delawareans are encouraged to limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants and minimize watering with drinkable water. To stay up to date, visit de.gov/drought.

Modernizing the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

I am proud that Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and I secured a federal grant through the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to replace its over 40-year-old diesel engine ferry with a diesel-hybrid ferry! This investment will reduce ferry emissions, allowing for zero-emission operations while near the port and while docked. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry plays an integral role in supporting regional tourism, our workforce, and our economy. It sustains 4,000 jobs. It generates tens of millions of dollars in taxes and hundreds of millions of dollars in local economic activity. We get a return on investment from it: it’s estimated that for every $1 invested in the ferry, $20 of economic activity is generated. And this week, alongside the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the Federal Transit Administration, and local officials, we celebrated this federal investment that we secured that will modernize the ferry and make our communities healthier at the same time. Read more about the announcement here.

From left to right: Valerie Berton, National Communications Director for the Federal Transit Administration, Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Delaware State Senator Russ Huxtable

Investing in Our Young People through the Surplus Books Program

One of the ways my office can assist Delaware organizations and institutions is through the Library of Congress’ Surplus Books Program through which members of Congress can secure books for their districts. My staff was proud to again deliver books – this time to Stubbs Early Education Center in Wilmington!

Above: Shania Trammell, grant specialist/caseworker for Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (third from left), delivers books to Stubbs Early Education Center in Wilmington.

Championing Clean Drinking Water for Under-Resourced Communities

On Thursday, I, alongside Governor John Carney and Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, announced a significant federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, protect local freshwater resources, and deliver safe drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses across Delaware. Since coming to Congress, I’ve been laser-focused on ensuring that communities across our state – especially our under-resourced communities – have access to safe and clean drinking water. Investments such as this one are key to ensuring healthy communities, protecting our environment, creating good-paying jobs, and strengthening our local economy. You can learn more about our announcement here.

Medicare Open Enrollment is Underway!

Attention Delaware seniors: the Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and runs through December 7! Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) I championed last Congress, and with the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are lowering health care and prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, including capping the cost of insulin at $35/month. As a result of the IRA, it’s estimated that 48,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware will save a total of $12.3 million in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications this year. I’ll always be a champion in Congress for our seniors. To change your plan or select a new plan, go to medicare.gov before December 7.

How to Vote in Delaware

Election Day is approaching! Voting is fundamental to a healthy democracy, so I encourage you to make a voting plan. You can go to ivote.de.gov for more information.

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.
• 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’s constituent corner highlights a local Delaware artist and former grade school art teacher, Mark Hendron, who recently went viral for painting a nursery mural for his soon-to-be granddaughter, Daisy. It turns out that Mark’s daughter, Makenzie, met her husband at Firefly Music Festival in Dover, which became the inspiration for the woodland-themed mural honoring the festival’s location, The Woodlands. It took 130 hours to paint! Having received the title of grandmother myself last year, I can relate to the lengths that a grandparent will go to. I’m wishing Mark, his daughter Mackenzie, and baby-to-be Daisy all the best. Go grandparents! You can watch the story here.  

Above: Mark Hendron standing in front of his mural.

Photo: ABC News

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