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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. I want to start by wishing everyone a happy Juneteenth!
Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last enslaved Black Americans held in the former Confederacy learned of their freedom in 1865—two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. I was proud to join President Joe Biden when the day became an official federal holiday in 2021. This year, I was fortunate to celebrate the occasion with Delawareans up and down the state.
This Week in Washington
Legislation to Protect Vaccine Science and Integrity
Senator Ben Ray Luján from New Mexico joined me in introducing legislation to protect vaccine science and integrity. Our bill is a response to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s unprecedented decision to terminate all the members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without cause.
The Validating and Advancing Clinical Consensus through Independent Nonpartisan Evaluation (VACCINE) Act would prevent the baseless termination of ACIP members in the future and direct the immediate reappointment of members on the advisory committee who were recently fired. This would be a critical step toward repairing the chaos and confusion Secretary Kennedy has caused in America’s public health system.
I joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the VACCINE Act. I talked about how it’s far past time for my Republican colleagues to stand up on behalf of the American people. You can watch a clip from my appearance on the show here.
ABOVE: I went on MSNBC to discuss how now is the time for us to defend vaccine science and our public health.
A Summit on Housing Supply Solutions
Addressing housing affordability is one of my top priorities as your Senator. That’s why, on Wednesday, I was glad to join the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy for a fireside conversation with Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, on how we can address the housing crisis.
In addition to our conversation, which was at the BPC's 4th Annual Summit on Housing Supply Solutions, I was honored to receive the Terwilliger Bipartisanship in Housing Award for my work on this critical issue.
We need to make it easier to build homes and increase our supply of building materials. My first bill as a Senator, the bipartisan Housing Supply Frameworks Act, would help solve this piece of the problem—but there’s so much more we can do to make housing more affordable.
In the coming months, I’ll be rolling out a comprehensive housing agenda that includes commonsense, lasting solutions to address America’s housing crisis. Stay tuned!
ABOVE: At the Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy’s 4th Annual Summit on Housing Supply Solutions, sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center, in conversation with Senator Todd Young, moderated by POLITICO’s Katy O’Donnell
Discussing Civic Education with Delaware Educators
It was my pleasure to spend time with Delaware educators participating in the University of Delaware’s Democracy Project Institute for Teachers. This UD program brings together K-12 teachers and leaders in government to discuss the importance of civic education for students and how to inspire active youth citizenship. Equipping our future generations with the tools they need to succeed is among our greatest obligations. That’s what the Democracy Project Institute for Teachers is focused on doing. It was great to see them on Capitol Hill!
ABOVE: With the University of Delaware’s Democracy Project Institute for Teachers on Capitol Hill
This Week in Delaware
Celebrating Juneteenth
Across the state, Delawareans spent this week commemorating emancipation with Juneteenth festivals and events. I had the opportunity to join multiple events, including the West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration and the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce's Juneteenth Celebration in Wilmington. I left both events uplifted, inspired, and reenergized to fight for the rights and freedoms we all hold dear.
ABOVE: In addition to Juneteenth, I was proud to also honor the legacy of the late Diaz Bonville, a fixture of the community, a friend, and a former member of my congressional office.
Saluting the Delaware National Guard
Led by Brigadier General James Benson, the brave men and women in the Delaware National Guard provide natural disaster relief, engage in engineering projects, and protect our communities at home and abroad. This week, I was honored to be presented with a flag that was flown in Kuwait on the day I was sworn into the Senate for my support of our National Guard. Thank you for having me at the Delaware National Guard headquarters and thank you for all you do for our state and our country!
ABOVE: Led by General Benson (second from right), the Delaware National Guard exhibits the meaning of service on behalf of our state and nation.
Hate Has No Home Here
It was great to join the organizers of Speak Out Against Hate for the kickoff of their “Hate Has No Home Here” initiative in Lewes. This event was a reminder that we all must oppose hate whenever and wherever we encounter it: in our schools, in our churches, and in our communities. We live in challenging times—there’s no denying it. But we should all agree that Hate has NO home in Delaware, or in America.
ABOVE: I was proud to be in Lewes to kick off the ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ Campaign.
Calling Young Leaders: Fall Internship Applications are Open!
Are you a Delaware college student or recent graduate who wants to make an impact on people's lives? Are you interested in getting an up-close look at how the federal government works? Consider applying for an internship with my office this fall. We’ll have internships available in Delaware and D.C. that cover the legislative and communications portfolios. Applications are due this Friday, June 27th.
Click here for more information and to see how you can apply today!
Republicans are still pushing their massive budget bill that would slash benefits for tens of millions of Americans. This week, I’m highlighting what Amy from Newark wrote to me.
Amy is a healthcare provider who told me that too many people don’t understand just how harmful this bill would be for everyone—even people who don’t rely on Medicaid or Medicare.
Amy told me, “Cuts will literally cause facilities to shut down. Nursing homes are especially at risk, along with hospitals in rural areas. We will not only be killing people due to them losing their healthcare, but we will be killing people by losing hospitals in areas where they will suddenly be hours away from receiving emergent care. Residents who live anywhere [with] assisted living are at risk for also losing their homes.”
These aren’t abstract fears for Amy; her own aunt is among the people who could become homeless if her assisted living facility shuts down. I’ll keep fighting these devastating cuts, and I hope you’ll keep sharing your stories with me.
Do you have a story to share? I want to hear from you! Please click here to share your story.
Please note that your stories may be used on the Senate floor, on social media, or with the press.
Below are some helpful resources for you:
- Cybersecurity Training: If you’re a small business owner with a cooperative agreement or grant with the SBA, you can access brand-new cybersecurity training designed by Delaware’s award-winning Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Visit northstarcert.americassbdc.org.
- Lower Energy Costs: You can lower your energy costs thanks to tax credits and rebates made available by the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more at www.energy.gov/save.
- Look Before You Book: Before you book your next international trip, make sure your passport is up to date! Visit travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Before you go overseas, consider downloading STEP, a free service that will send you safety and security alerts from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Travel with peace of mind and enroll today at mytravel.state.gov/s/step.
- 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org, the 24/7, free, and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
- Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more should 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 at exchanges.state.gov/us.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Medicare Part D beneficiaries can spread out the costs of prescription drugs over the course of a year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Payment plans have zero-interest installments and a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Learn more at medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan.
This week’s Constituent Corner honors Brian Villec, a financial advisor and Lewes Fire Department volunteer firefighter, and his daughter, Ellie. This weekend, they’ll be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for the families of children diagnosed with cancer through the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Brian and Ellie, Delaware is rooting for you!
ABOVE: Brian and Ellie Villec on a hike in January 2024. (Submitted photo)
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