|
Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. Today, November 1st, millions of Americans will once again have the chance to sign up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov. This period comes around every year, but this time, it’s different.
For the vast majority of current plan holders, premiums will skyrocket so high that folks may not believe their own eyes. For a 50-year-old couple in Middletown making $85,000 a year, their monthly premiums for a standard silver plan will increase by $1,324. I don’t know many people who can afford an increase like that during these economic times.
I've heard from so many Delawareans about what this health care crisis will mean for them. Here are just two:
Cynthia in Newark: “My premium is poised to almost double, and it’s a pretty basic plan to begin with. If that happens, there’s a good chance I will not be able to afford healthcare.”
James in Selbyville: “My family's ACA premium will increase 110% without the continuation of the enhanced premium subsidy.”
I’m grateful to Cynthia and James for letting me know how higher premiums will impact them. Please CLICK HERE if you’d like to do the same.
These are the stories I’m focused on while the House of Representatives has been missing in action for five weeks, and President Trump is focused on building a gilded ballroom at the White House. It’s time to stop building ballrooms and start lowering costs for hardworking families.
Fighting for Food Assistance
I know how important food assistance like SNAP is for families – my own family relied on SNAP for a period of time. But this summer, the Republican tax law made the largest cut to SNAP in history. And now, because of the Republican shutdown, SNAP benefits are set to run out in November for over 40 million people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a SNAP emergency fund for moments like this. But the Trump administration is choosing to let families go hungry by refusing to use the funding. Not only do they have the money to continue benefits, but the administration has a legal requirement to do so. This week, I joined Senator Chris Coons and 44 of our Democratic colleagues to demand that the USDA uses this funding to keep people fed. Then, Friday evening, two federal judges in two separate states ruled that the administration indeed must use the emergency funds to get SNAP benefits out, like we called on them to do.
Amid the Trump administration’s lack of support, on Wednesday, a state of emergency was declared in Delaware to allow state funding for SNAP recipients on a weekly basis. Our state is making difficult financial decisions to get food assistance to Delawareans through November, but states like ours shouldn’t have to foot the bill. That’s why I introduced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits and Compensation for Keep-Up (SNAP BACK) Act to reimburse states that are stepping up.
I’ll continue doing all I can with my partners in our state and in Congress to ensure that every American gets the food assistance they’re entitled to.
ABOVE: My SNAP BACK Act which would make sure states aren’t left footing the bill for getting folks critical food assistance.
Reviving our Nation’s Shipbuilding Sector
On Tuesday, as the Ranking Member of the Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries Subcommittee, I was proud to lead my fellow Democrats in a hearing on the need to revitalize our commercial shipbuilding industry.
Reviving our nation’s shipbuilding sector would strengthen our national security, protect our supply chains, support our small businesses, and lower costs for everyday Americans. I shared my deep concern, in this hearing and others, that important work is being overshadowed. We can’t meaningfully address the issues facing our nation until my Republican colleagues come to the table and reopen the government. CLICK HERE to watch my remarks in committee.
ABOVE: Our hearing on revitalizing the shipbuilding industry
Calling Young Leaders: Spring 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 spring. We’ll have internships available in Delaware and D.C. that cover the legislative and communications portfolios. Applications are due on Sunday, November 16th.
CLICK HERE for more information and to see how you can apply today!
For our second edition of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, we’re highlighting Hana and Clara Kegerreis from Middletown.
When they learned about the cuts to SNAP, Hana and Clara sprang into action. They organized a food drive in their neighborhood and then expanded it to their school. Since this spring, they’ve also raised money and donated over 400 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Delaware. Their motto is, "Every kid can. Every action counts."
I’m so proud of these two young Delawareans for their dedication to their community and for spreading hope in this challenging moment. Thank you, Hana and Clara, and keep up the good work!
ABOVE: Hana and Clara Kegerreis donating food to the Food Bank of Delaware
Do you have a story or resource you’d like to share? Is there a person or organization that’s been going the extra mile for our fellow Delawareans? Please CLICK THIS LINK to tell us who we should honor next week in Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Please note that your stories may be used on the Senate floor, on social media, or with the press.
As a result of the shutdown, many federal agencies will be closed or have reduced operations. While my Delaware and Washington, D.C. offices may have limited capacity, we will do everything we can to serve you.
CLICK HERE for shutdown-related information. My team will continue to update this page as the situation develops.
Governor Matt Meyer has created THIS LIST of state-based resources for federal workers and families affected by the shutdown.
Please find responses to some frequently asked questions below:
What is a government shutdown?
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass annual appropriations legislation or a Continuing Resolution (CR) before the beginning of a fiscal year on October 1st. The temporary gap in funding means federal agencies and employees are unable to carry out their usual duties or must do so on an unpaid basis for as long as the shutdown persists. As a result, many federal programs and services experience interruptions and delays during a government shutdown.
Will Senator Blunt Rochester’s offices be open?
My offices in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Washington, D.C. will remain open. Staff will not be able to arrange Capitol tours or fulfill flag requests. You may still submit new casework requests on our website, but please note that our team will have a reduced ability to assist you, as many federal agencies will be closed during the shutdown.
CLICK HERE to submit a request to our casework team.
- You can reach our Wilmington office at (302) 573-6291.
- You can reach our Dover office at (302) 674-3308.
- You can reach our Georgetown office at (302) 856-7690.
- You can reach our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-2441.
How will this affect me?
- [UPDATE] Delawareans who normally receive SNAP benefits will receive food assistance in November thanks to action taken by state leaders. 25% of your monthly SNAP amount will be loaded onto your EBT card each week. You will not receive the full monthly amount at one time. Constituents can still apply for SNAP benefits, report changes, and complete periodic reports.
- Beware of scams: If you receive a call or text asking for your EBT card number and PIN, do not respond. Neither the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services nor EBT Customer Service will ever contact you for this information.
- The State of Delaware is expected to be able to fund WIC through the end of the year, so no disruption of benefits is expected at this time.
- Social Security and SSI payments will continue. However, new claims may not be processed, and questions may not be answered during the shutdown.
- Medicare benefits will continue uninterrupted. However, new Medicare cards will not be issued, and new beneficiaries may not be accepted into the program until the shutdown ends. If you’ve been receiving telehealth-based care through Medicare, your appointments may be rescheduled or moved to in-person.
- The United States Postal Service (USPS) will continue to be fully operational.
- You should prepare for delays at the airport. TSA, CBP, and air traffic controllers will be working without pay and/or with reduced staff for the duration of the shutdown.
- Military and federal law enforcement will also be working without pay during the shutdown.
- VA medical facilities will remain open, several Veterans Benefits Administration programs will continue, and burials will take place at VA national cemeteries during the shutdown. However, VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
- National parks and federal museums may close and will have reduced services. Please check the website of the facility you are looking to visit for specific guidance.
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs, such as the Pell Grant and the Direct Loan program, will not be impacted. Student loan payments will continue to be processed during the shutdown.
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for the duration of the shutdown.
- Regional Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offices will close. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will remain operational until further notice, but with reduced capacity. This may affect your ability to obtain or refinance a mortgage through the FHA.
- USDA’s Farm Service Agency will not implement or process several programs critical to farmers, including disaster assistance program payments related to extreme weather and direct loans.
- The 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline is unaffected by the shutdown. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7, free, and confidential support.
If you are experiencing any disruptions, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance.
Was this email forwarded to you? CLICK HERE to subscribe and receive Let Me Be Blunt in the future.
|
