Dear Friend,

Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. Before I share all that took place this week in the Capitol, a reminder: our Third Annual Constituent Resource Fair is coming up! Join us from 10 am to 3 pm on Tuesday, September 23rd, to speak with representatives from federal, state, and nonprofit agencies and learn more about what services are available to you. My team and I hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE or SCAN the QR code below to register.

For the Safety of our Children and Families, Secretary Kennedy Must Resign

The American people rely on accurate information from authorities like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to make decisions about their health. Yet, Secretary Kennedy has undermined their expertise at every turn, creating chaos and confusion in our public health system.

This is especially concerning as parents try to get their children vaccinated at the start of the school year. That’s why I hosted a hearing this week to shine a light on how parents can navigate vaccine uncertainty as their students go back to school. I was joined by several of my Democratic colleagues, doctors, parents, and a school nurse to discuss the importance of the CDC, ACIP, and access to vaccinations. One takeaway was clear: Secretary Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism has real, dangerous consequences. Politics aside, these reckless policies put American families at risk. CLICK HERE to watch our hearing.

Just recently, nine former CDC directors called Secretary Kennedy “a danger to America’s health,” and over a thousand HHS employees have called for his resignation. I don’t say this lightly, but I agree with them – Secretary Kennedy must resign.

ABOVE: Alongside fellow Senators, doctors, parents, and issue experts, I was eager to shine a light on how Secretary Kennedy’s vaccine policies are impacting families. 

Advancing AI in America

Delaware is emerging as a national leader in responsible technology innovation, and I was grateful to participate in a bipartisan hearing this week on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies across our nation. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or independent, we should all be committed to fostering innovation while prioritizing safety and security.

I also introduced two new bipartisan AI-related bills this week. The first is the Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education (RAISE) Act, which would empower states to develop academic standards on AI and prepare the leaders of tomorrow for the future. The second bill is the Consumer Safety Technology Act, which would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to explore leveraging AI to meet its mission.

Delawareans in DC

I’m back in DC after spending most of August in Delaware – but that doesn’t mean I’m not still spending time with Delawareans! This week, I welcomed members of the Clean Slate Initiative to talk about the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act, both of which I’m championing in the Senate. I also met with Delaware representatives of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

ABOVE: I was grateful to speak to Delaware VFW members about how we can work together to serve our nation’s veterans.

Celebrating the Culture and Community of the Nanticoke

On Saturday, I had the honor of attending the 47th Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow in Milton along with Congresswoman Sarah McBride, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, State Senator Russ Huxtable, and State Representative Alonna Berry. The Nanticoke are a Native American tribe whose traditional homelands are primarily in Delaware, and at least half of their estimated 700 tribe members nationwide live here today.

We arrived just in time for the Presentation of Flags and Grand Entry Ceremonies, which were beautiful displays of the cultures of the many tribes that attended the powwow. This annual event brings together Native American communities from up and down the East Coast, and I was grateful to attend.

ABOVE: I am grateful to the Nanticoke for hosting me at the 47^th Annual Powwow in Milton last weekend. 

One Week On: The New Way Home Agenda

I launched The New Way Home Agenda last week because I know that housing touches every single aspect of Delawareans’ lives. In the time since then, we have heard from so many people who would be positively impacted by the policies in the agenda and from partners ready to work with us to get them done. I am fired up and ready to go.

CLICK HERE to read more about how we’re taking on the housing crisis with this bold new plan.

ABOVE: Combatting our housing affordability crisis is important to me because it’s important to Delawareans.

In last week’s edition of Let Me Be Blunt, I asked you to share your housing stories with me, and I’m sharing one of those stories today.

Denise from New Castle is currently facing homelessness. But she is also undergoing a knee replacement and will need to get her other knee replaced soon after. She couldn’t have the operation while homeless, so she’s staying at a shelter – but that’s only a temporary solution.

Denise told me, “I have applied for housing but the average wait time per senior high rise is a minimum of 2-4 years. I have to get the other knee done as well. The [shelter] is okay, but [not] fully conducive to my healing. Healing per leg is about a year. My stay here is 60 days.”

Housing should be the last thing on Denise’s mind as she recovers from her knee replacement; instead, it’s the first. I’m fighting to push my housing agenda over the finish line for Delawareans – and all Americans – like Denise.

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:

• Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund: Along with local nonprofits, Delmarva Power has established a program to provide relief to Delawareans who are facing higher energy costs. To read more about eligibility rules and how to apply, go to delmarva.com/ReliefDE.
• 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 energy.gov/save.
• 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.
• 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.
• Youth Workforce Connect Call: The Delaware Department of Labor’s Office of Wage & Hour Enforcement is facilitating a monthly Delaware Youth Workforce Connect Call to provide resources to support First State teens in the workplace. Visit industrialaffairs.delaware.gov/event-details/youth-connect-call to register for this informational opportunity.
• Delaware EARNS Deadline Approaching: In 2024, Delaware’s Office of the State Treasurer launched the Delaware EARNS program to help Delawareans save for retirement. Certain employers are required to register for the program, so if you are one of those businesses, be sure to get registered by the October 15^th deadline. Go to earnsdelaware.com for more info or call the employer assistance hotline at 855-934-3701 with any questions.

One of the most important things my office does is help Delawareans get connected with federal agencies. However, as a former caseworker myself, I know that many people are unaware of the services that a Senate office can provide. This week, our Constituent Corner highlights one way my amazing casework team can help you:

Back in July, my office heard from a constituent who had trouble receiving her 2024 federal tax refund after filing for it in March. With the help of our casework team, this constituent received her refund this week and took home the $1,092.49 she was owed. Filing taxes is hard enough before you even factor in delayed refunds and slow response times. That's why my office is here to help.

If you need help dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or resolving an issue with another federal agency, please reach out to my office.

CLICK HERE to get in touch with my casework team.

Contact me