Dear Friend,

Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. This week, the government shutdown became the longest in American history. That’s not a record to be proud of – this has gone on long enough. Yesterday afternoon, my Democratic colleagues and I made an offer to the Republicans: simply extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for a year and fund the government. CLICK HERE to watch me implore them to accept that offer on behalf of our constituents.

ABOVE: This has gone on long enough. On the Senate floor, I talked about how we need to make a deal.

Despite our best efforts, for more than a month, my Republican colleagues have refused to seriously engage in bipartisan negotiations. As a result, the ongoing shutdown has harmed the very people we have been sent here to represent.

The cost of health care was already too high, and now, because Republicans in Congress refuse to help lower premiums, it’s getting higher. Prices at the grocery store were going up even before the shutdown. But instead of helping to keep families fed, the Trump administration made the largest cut to SNAP in American history and is now refusing to use emergency funds to continue SNAP benefits. In fact, a federal judge is trying to force the Trump administration to use those funds to prevent millions of Americans from going hungry, and, unconscionably, the administration is resisting doing so.

It’s long past time for my Republican colleagues to use their control of the White House, Senate, and House to actually help people. When it comes to seeing a doctor and feeding their families, Americans literally can’t afford to wait.

CLICK HERE to watch me call on Republicans in Washington to put partisanship aside and get people the help they need.

The Health Care Crisis

On Monday, I joined a group of health care advocates – pharmacists, nonprofit leaders, medical professionals, and small business owners – to get a better sense of what they’re seeing up and down our state. We discussed many big issues, from reforming our insurance system to keeping premiums down. This could not have come at a more important time.

Our roundtable took place just two days after the start of open enrollment, when Delawareans started logging on to HealthCare.gov, where premiums are 100%, 200%, or even 300% higher than last year. An estimated 5,000 Delawareans are expected to simply go without insurance because of how much it would cost to stay covered.

This is a five-alarm fire for the health of our nation, and it will impact everyone, not just those who use the Health Insurance Marketplace. We need Republicans in Washington to come to the table and address this crisis head-on.

Don’t just take it from me. Earlier this week, I published an op-ed with Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro in Bay to Bay News. As Commissioner Navarro and I wrote, hardworking Delawareans cannot afford to shoulder these massive price hikes, and they shouldn’t have to. CLICK HERE to read our full op-ed.

ABOVE: This crisis is a five-alarm fire for the health of our nation.

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 16^th.

CLICK HERE for more information and to see how you can apply today!

In this week’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors, we’re honoring Heart for Humanity Food Distribution Ministry.

Every Saturday for the last 41 years, a team of volunteers at Victory Christian Fellowship has run Heart for Humanity Food Distribution Ministry in New Castle. They typically see about 30 cars lined up to get produce, meat, and bread. But last weekend, more than 200 families lined up for help. This increase was driven by higher food costs and uncertainty with SNAP.

In a state of neighbors, we help each other in times of need. Now is one of those times. Thank you to the staff and volunteers at Victory Christian Fellowship for their service to our community over the last four decades!

ABOVE: The team at Heart for Humanity Food Distribution Ministry in action. (Photo: Gee Johnson/Special To Delaware News Journal)

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 1^st. 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] The operations of the IRS are limited during the shutdown. Until the government reopens, most tax refunds will not be paid, and walk-in Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are closed, but limited live IRS telephone customer service assistance will be available. Additionally, all Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) offices are closed, which may limit the ability of my constituent services team to resolve IRS-related issues on your behalf. Please be aware that you must continue to fulfill your tax obligations, regardless of the status of government funding.
• 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.

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