Dear Friend,

Let me begin by thanking everyone at home who took the time last week to meet with me, take me on tours of your businesses, or simply share your concerns and stories. The Senate is back in session, and I returned to Washington recharged and motivated by you.

Many of you may have heard the alarming reports regarding the careless mishandling of classified military information by Trump administration officials. In a bombshell report, The Atlantic revealed that senior Trump officials – including cabinet secretaries and White House advisors – discussed plans for upcoming airstrikes in an unsecured group chat. Not only is this breach irresponsible, but it is also dangerous and could have jeopardized the lives of our troops. We are fortunate to have averted a tragedy this time, but it’s clear that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lacks the judgment needed to safely and responsibly lead the Defense Department.

I believe the American people deserve to clearly understand the risk this negligent misstep poses to our national security. I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle calling for a swift and thorough investigation of this incident, as well as a review from the intelligence community of the ongoing risk.

Rounding out a busy week of hearings and briefings, I was happy to see some familiar Delaware faces around the Capitol. Here are some of the highlights:

Working Together to Address our Affordable Housing Crisis

On Wednesday, I addressed the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) 2025 Housing Policy Forum. It was great to be among fellow community leaders and advocates, especially the Delawareans in attendance. In my effort to take on the affordable housing crisis, the NLIHC is one of the organizations I’ve been working with since coming to Congress.

The stakes are high: a record number of people are unhoused; rents are outpacing income levels, disproportionately impacting extremely low-income families; and homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach. In Delaware, we have a shortage of roughly 14,000 affordable housing units for the lowest-income households. But the impact of this crisis is felt across the economic spectrum – Delaware is also facing a shortage of more than 20,000 units for middle and upper-income households.

There are clear connections between our housing crisis and other challenges we face – from access to good paying jobs and safe communities, to health disparities, and education inequity. I was proud to share how, as a member of the committee that oversees housing policy in the Senate, I’ll continue to be a partner in increasing access to safe, affordable, and fair housing.

From day one in the Senate, my team and I have been working to develop and introduce a comprehensive, bipartisan package of housing bills. Stay tuned for more on housing!

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester giving remarks at the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2025 Housing Policy Forum

Opposing the Unlawful Termination of Grants for Clean Air and Water

This week, I joined Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in leading our Democratic colleagues on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to demand Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin reverse the illegal termination of 400 grants for clean air and water. To be clear, these grants were previously authorized by Congress and signed into law. Programs targeted included funding to address childhood lead, PFAS Contamination in drinking water, and air quality in communities over-burdened with pollution.

As we wrote in our letter, “According to information obtained exclusively by EPW Democratic Staff, termination notices sent by EPA to grantees knowingly and deceptively cited contract language that was not actually in many of the contracts in an effort to shift the burden to grantees to challenge your illegal terminations in the courts.”

According to the Constitution, Congress – and only Congress – has the 'power of the purse.' It’s unacceptable that the EPA is trying to deceptively and illegally cancel these grants. Communities that are counting on these funds deserve better. To read the Associated Press story on our letter, click here.

Bipartisan Recognition of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month

This week, I joined Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) to introduce and pass a bipartisan resolution recognizing March as Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. Every year, as many as 900,000 individuals in the United States are affected by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, conditions caused by blood clots. Further, every six minutes, someone in the United States dies from a blood clot. That’s why it’s so essential for us to spread awareness and resources – a deeply personal mission to me.

This resolution is a first step to encouraging awareness, advocacy, and action on blood clots so that people know how to get help before it’s too late. To read my full press release on this news with more information, click here.

Delawareans in DC

I’m always glad to host Delawareans in my Washington DC office. This week, our team met with the Delaware Center for Inland Bays and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. We already feel the impacts of extreme weather across our State, and we had a frank conversation about the collective effort it’s going to take to protect our rich natural heritage and ecosystem.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester meeting with representatives of the Delaware Center for Inland Bays and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Joining Kent County 4-H

It was great to end the week by stopping by the 27th celebration of the Kent County 4-H Dinner & Basket Auction in Felton! This event was both a celebration of the work that Kent County 4-H does but also a recognition of the power of our agriculture community and all that it contributes to our health, economy, and way of life.

That's why, when I was your Congresswoman, I fought to become the first Delawarean in over 120 years to sit on the House Agriculture Committee and secure over $900,000 in federal funding for the New Castle Building at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. That building is now a hub for year-round agriculture activities and services to students, educators and families, including those in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) statewide. Initiatives that use our head, heart, hands, and health like 4-H are the cornerstones of our community in Delaware.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester giving remarks at the 27th celebration of the Kent County 4-H Dinner & Basket Auction in Felton

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester pictured with Kent County 4-H leaders 

Sowing the Seeds of Empowerment

Last weekend, I was proud to join the Delaware chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women at Delaware State University for their “Strength of A Woman” Black Women’s Roundtable. This chapter - my chapter - has been SOWing the seeds of empowerment in Delaware now for 30 years. In this moment, the event couldn't have been more inspiring. 

THIS MONDAY: 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.

ALSO THIS MONDAY: Deadline to Sign Up for Medicare

Are you or a loved one eligible for Medicare but not currently enrolled? You have until Monday to sign up.

Head to Medicare.gov for more information about coverage options and find a plan that’s right for you.

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 the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority who visited from Delaware as part of the 36^th Annual Delta Days in the Nation's Capital this week. Their sisterhood has a very proud tradition of civic engagement and service, and I was glad we had the chance to discuss important policies addressing education, voting rights, and health equity in our state.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester joined by Delaware members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for the 36^th Annual Delta Days in the Nation's Capital

Yours in service, Lisa Blunt Rochester United States Senator

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