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Dear Friend,
This is our last “Let Me Be Blunt” newsletter of the year and of my term in the House. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to serve.
Happy Holidays!
I want to wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season. May it be filled with love, joy, prosperity and peace. Watch my holiday message by clicking below:
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Last Friday evening, I cast my final vote as a member of the House – a bill to enable the federal government to continue serving the American people. I am proud that this package included policies that I’ve been fighting for – from extending telehealth policies to $500 million for childcare providers and facilities across the country impacted by recent disasters, to name a few. With this package, we were able in the short-term to prevent critical programs from expiring. But let me be clear – we must work to find longer-term solutions, like those originally agreed upon in our bipartisan deal. With this last vote, just as when I entered the House, I leave remaining laser-focused on finding bipartisan solutions, governing responsibly, and putting the people of Delaware first. You can read my full statement on the Continuing Resolution by clicking here.
The Room Where “We the People” Have Forged the Future of America
Serving in the House has been one of the greatest honors of my life. And after eight years as Delaware’s sole member, I gave my final speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. The first time I entered the chamber - the “room where it happens” - I felt humbled, honored, and hopeful to be the first woman and person of color to serve Delaware in Congress. You can watch my full speech by clicking below or here.
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I’ve taken your voices, stories, and concerns to Congress and they have informed my work each day as we support families, strengthen our communities, lower costs, and protect our health, planet and national security. Thank you, Delaware!
Increasing Landlord Transparency and Empowering Renters
I was proud to partner with Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, to introduce one of my final bills as a member of the House called the Know Who Owns Your Home Act.
It is no secret that for too many Americans, it is increasingly difficult to determine who owns their rental homes, making it harder for renters to address repairs and other urgent needs. Our bill would direct the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to survey the need for a rental registry to increase transparency between renters and landlords. Our bill would empower renters, landlords, and local governments with critical information and data on the conditions and ownership of rental properties. Read more about our legislation here.
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Championing Equitable Access to Safe Drinking Water
On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its “Water Affordability Needs Assessment” to Congress. It examines decades of research on the water affordability crisis and underscores the critical need for a permanent federal water assistance program. Along with Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, I fought hard to include our Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Programs Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which helped bring this report to fruition. Access to clean water is not a luxury—it's a fundamental human right. That is why this work is so important. Armed with this data, we have the evidence to demonstrate the need for a full-scale program authorized by Congress. Ultimately, our goal is to make clean, safe drinking water accessible to every community.
REMINDER: Office Closure and Constituent Casework Operations Update
As we transition to our Senate office, our team would like to provide you with an update on our operations, including our constituent casework, in order to serve you to the best of our ability.
While our physical offices in Wilmington and Georgetown are now closed, and our Washington, DC is operating at limited capacity, Delawareans experiencing issues with federal agencies during this transition period should contact the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons. For your information, below are answers to some questions you may have about this process:
New Cases
- I am looking to get assistance with one of the following issues: 1) refund from the IRS, 2) obtaining Social Security and/or Veterans Benefits, 3) problems with Medicare, 4) renewing U.S. Passport and/or Visa, 5) Immigration help. Who should I contact?
- While our office is no longer able to open new cases with federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- For any new issue involving a federal agency, please contact the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons for assistance.
Existing Cases
- I currently have a case open with your office. What happens to it?
- If you have an open case with my office, our casework team will continue to assist you and will reach out with any updates on your case before our physical office closure on December 4th. After the offices close, our team will be working remotely through the end of the year. You can still contact us by calling the Wilmington office at 302-830-2330 or the Washington, DC office at 202-225-4165.
- What happens if my case is not resolved before your office officially closes?
- Our casework team is working hard to resolve as many cases as possible before our office officially closes.
- Given that the response time for some cases with federal agencies can vary from weeks to months, if a case is not resolved before our office closes, constituents will have the option of either ending the case or transferring it to the office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons.
Additional Assistance
- I am in need of resources related to obtaining employment, securing housing, getting food assistance, accessing mental health services or something else. Can I still call your office?
- Yes. If you are experiencing issues in obtaining employment, securing housing, getting food assistance, accessing mental health services or something else, please call my Wilmington office at 302-830-2330 to speak with a member of my staff.
Open Enrollment Deadline Reminder
November 1 marked the beginning of the open enrollment period! If you sign up for coverage before January 15, 2025, your coverage will begin February 1, 2025. This year, the average person in Delaware saved $1,080 on their premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which I was proud to champion in Congress. Go to Healthcare.gov or CuidadodeSalud.gov today to find a new plan or renew your current plan.
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.
- 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 them today at covidtests.gov.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting in January, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will be able to spread prescription drug costs across the year. These payment plans will include zero-interest installments as well as a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Learn more at Medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan.
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Our last constituent corner of the year is…Juleeann Schlitter of Frederick D. Thomas Middle School in Lewes! Juleeann was recently named the 2023-24 Delaware Music Educator of the Year by the Delaware Music Educators Association. For 14 years, Juleeann has been a music teacher in the Cape Henlopen School District, sharing her passion for music and instilling confidence in her students’ musical abilities. Thank you, Juleeann, for dedicating your time and talents to building up the next generation of Delaware musicians!
Photo: Cape Gazette/ Ellen McIntyre Photo
| Yours in service, |
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| Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester |
| Member of Congress |
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