Dear Friend,

This is a special Delaware edition of Let Me Be Blunt. It was so good to be back home after 10 straight weeks of the Senate being in session. For my first state work period as a Senator, I was grateful to hear from you. In fact, I heard from Delawareans aged 2 to 102! I am recharged and ready to return to DC on your behalf.

Standing Up for Delawareans on Medicaid and Supporting Delaware’s Innovative Entrepreneurs

On Monday, Senator Chris Coons, Congresswoman Sarah McBride, and I brought together patients, providers, advocates, federally qualified health centers, and hospital leaders to denounce the plan being advanced by Republicans in Washington to cut Medicaid funding by $880 billion. We held a press conference – at the start of our Medicaid Week of Action – to shine a light on how those cuts would slash health care coverage for 1 in 4 Delawareans, including kids, seniors, working families, and people with disabilities.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester standing with federal delegation partners and impacted Delawareans to denounce proposed cuts to Medicaid

I then visited the Delaware Innovation Space. As many of you may know, preparing our workforce for the economy of today and tomorrow has long been one of my top priorities. That’s why I was excited to see how the folks at the Innovation Space are helping to create science-based entrepreneurship opportunities for workers across our state and solve some of our most pressing challenges.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester was joined by Bill Provine, President and CEO of the Innovation Space, as well as the Innovation Space team

Hearing Kent County Voices

I started my day on Tuesday visiting labs on Delaware State University’s campus whose federal funding is threatened by the Trump administration’s cuts to critical research. These labs are doing work that could possibly have benefits felt around our state, nation, and world. One lab focuses on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The other focuses on water quality. That second lab – Delaware State’s Water Analysis Lab – has earned the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation, making DSU the first HBCU to have that accreditation, and as of 2023, only one of the two higher education institutions in our country to have it.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester looking through a microscope at a lab at Delaware State University

From there, we went to the Modern Maturity Center. I toured the facility and met many of the tireless staff and volunteers who provide resources and programming for local seniors. While there, several seniors pulled me aside to share the lifesaving impact that programs like Medicare and Social Security have on them – and the consequences that would occur if they were stripped down or defunded. I assured them I will continue to do everything I can to protect those vital benefits that our seniors have earned.

In the afternoon, I joined Anastasia Jackson from the Delaware Division of Small Business, and met with local Kent County entrepreneurs to understand what resources are available to them and what challenges they face. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a critical role in creating jobs and providing services for Delawareans. Thank you to everyone at Rail Haus, Stonerail Market, and Coleman’s CNA Academy for graciously hosting us and for sharing your stories and wisdom! These visits showed the significance of partnering on all levels to support our small businesses.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester meeting with Donny Legans, owner of Rail Haus Beer Garden in Dover

Lastly, I met with representatives of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council. We had a very sobering conversation about the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and how the cuts would be especially harmful to the thousands of Delawareans with developmental disabilities.

In that meeting were Kristin Harvey, executive director, Rachel Engel, fiscal advisor, and Emmanuel Jenkins, community relations officer. In our conversation, Emmanuel shared what Medicaid cuts would mean for him. Medicaid has allowed him to find a home after being homeless and a job to provide for his family. When talking about these proposed cuts, he said, “If you pull that lifeline, you unravel my life.” Regarding those who are trying to cut Medicaid, he said, “People can ignore my presence, but not my existence.”

Policy Discussions for a Better Quality of Life

I always look forward to presenting before the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce as part of their Policy Makers Breakfast Series. As in past years, I shared “where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re going” as your representative in the Congress. It was followed by a lively question and answer section with these important business, nonprofit, and government leaders from across the county. In addition to the update, my core message was that we are in this together and it will take all of us to continue to improve the quality of life in our state.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester presenting to the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

Also on Wednesday, as a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I met virtually with the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society Action Network, and the American Heart Association. We discussed the consequences of proposed cuts to Medicaid and the firing of scientists and the freezing of research dollars that would find cures for such things as cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. We also reflected on our collective hope that together we can build healthy communities.

CLOCKWISE STARTING WITH TOP LEFT: Grace Scott, Office of Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester; Aleks Casper, American Lung Association; Lance Kilpatrick, American Cancer Society Action Network; Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester; Megan Tucker, American Heart Association

Keeping Sussex Strong

As someone who has spent my career trying to meet people where they are, I was pleased to join Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth to deliver meals to seniors. Thanks to more than 100 local volunteers, this program delivers approximately 110,000 meals per year. This is a critical lifeline for so many, and for some, it could be the only social interaction they have. It really is more than just a meals delivery — it’s neighbors helping neighbors.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester seeing meals being prepared by Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth (left), Senator Blunt Rochester helps to deliver meals to Sussex County seniors (right)

I then joined First State Community Action Agency, La Red Health Center, and the Sussex County Community Development and Housing Department for a powerful roundtable discussion. At this event, several constituents courageously shared how these respective organizations empowered them to find or rehabilitate a home, overcome addiction, or access health care. These organizations depend on public-private partnerships, including federal funding, to do all those things – funds I will always fight to protect.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester joining First State Community Action Agency, La Red Health Center, and the Sussex County Community Development and Housing Department, as well as Sussex County constituents, for a conversation 

Educating Delaware’s Children

On Friday, Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day, I began the day at the Latin American Community Center (LACC) in Wilmington. A few years ago, I secured $3.5 million in federal Community Project Funding for LACC's Infant and Toddler Center. In 2022, I got to see the “before.” This week, I got to see the “after.” It was great to see kids in their classrooms and that federal funding put to good use on behalf of Delawareans. This points to the important role of Head Start in early childhood education. In addition, we met with child care advocates, including from the LACC, the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DEAEYC), and Rodel, to discuss the challenges our state faces.

Like so many important nonprofits, the Trump administration's proposed cuts would make it harder for the LACC to serve members of our community, especially through their Head Start programming. For those who are not familiar, Head Start has provided education and other services for young children and their families from under resourced backgrounds since 1965. I have long been a supporter of funding for Head Start and will certainly work to protect it now on behalf of our state.

Later, I visited EastSide Charter School and their Chemours STEM Hub, which students use during the school day to learn. The facility is also available for students after school, on weekends, and over the summer thanks to community partners. This is such an asset to our community and gives students the opportunity to prepare to find the solutions to issues of today and tomorrow.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester; Dr. Aaron Bass, President & CEO of EastSide Charter School; and James “Ray” Rhodes, STEM HUB & Community Engagement Director, are pictured with students at EastSide Charter School

Celebrating and Honoring Delaware

I attended the St. Patrick’s Day Society’s annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. As always, it was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this proud tradition in Wilmington. We were joined at the event by none other than President Joe Biden! I was proud to celebrate the holiday with him and so many members of our community. 

As a personal point of privilege, one of the last events of the week was a powerful one for me and my family. We were so honored to attend a ceremony for the dedication of the Historic City Council Commemorative Wall at the Louis L. Redding City County Building. The wall was named after my dad, the late Theodore “Ted” Blunt. He spent his life serving others — from the field of education to Wilmington City Council President. Dad created the wall years ago to inform residents of their representatives but also to honor the legacies of those who came before us. We thank the Council and all involved in this tribute to his life and legacy as well.

ABOVE: Senator Blunt Rochester is pictured in front of the Commemorative Wall at the Louis L. Redding City County Building, named after her late father, the Honorable Theodore “Ted” Blunt

WEDNESDAY: Mobile Office Hours in Dover

My office will be hosting our next mobile office hours at the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, March 26th. 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. To RSVP, click here.

COMING UP: Annual IRS Webinar

Have last minute questions about filing your taxes this year?

I'm hosting my annual webinar with special guests from the IRS and Delaware Taxpayer Advocate this Monday, March 31st at 2:30 PM. As the filing deadline approaches, this is a chance for you to get your questions answered!

Click here to register for this year’s webinar.

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. 
• 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 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 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. 
• 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, went into effect on January 1st. 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.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, 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.

This week’s constituent corner honors all the Delawareans who are standing up to say what catastrophic cuts to critical federal programs and services would mean for them and their loved ones — especially when it comes to Medicaid. Whether you were at one of our events last week, took time to write or call my office, or told me in person, I thank you for your bravery in sharing your personal stories. As the saying goes, “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable!” Stay Delaware strong!

ABOVE (L-R): Kristin Harvey, Executive Director, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council; Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester; Emmanuel Jenkins, Community Relations Officer, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council; and Rachel Engel, Fiscal Advisor II, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council are pictured at their meeting this week.

Yours in service, Lisa Blunt Rochester United States Senator

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