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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. I want to start off by wishing you a very happy Delaware Day! Tomorrow marks the anniversary of Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution. And we haven’t looked back since!
This week, I returned to Washington to keep fighting for you.
As part of the deal that reopened the government last month, Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised to hold a vote on the rising cost of health care. Now, after causing the longest government shutdown in American history, my Republican colleagues still have no plan.
I don’t know what Republicans in Congress are hearing from their constituents, but I know what I’m hearing from mine. Families across our state are being forced to choose between staying healthy and keeping a roof over their heads. That’s why I introduced a new bill on this issue, which you can read about below. We must take this crisis on with the urgency it deserves. Empty promises won’t cut it.
Affordable Health Care is a Basic Necessity
Access to affordable health care has been an issue for far longer than President Trump has been in office, but his administration has been only making it worse. For example, in June, they changed certain rules for private insurance that will increase out-of-pocket costs for 160 million people. This means they’re making it easier for insurers to charge you more when you need care.
This week, during a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, I asked Dr. Claudia Fegan from Physicians for a National Health Program what this rule change would mean for individuals with chronic illnesses. CLICK HERE to read more.
ABOVE: The clock is ticking for us to protect people’s health care.
Despite Republicans’ lack of action, I was hard at work trying to move the ball in the right direction. On Thursday, I introduced a bill to make care more affordable and accessible with Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. My new bill, the Restoring Patient Protection and Affordability Act, would do the following things:
- Extend the ACA tax credits for three years, which would prevent health insurance premiums from spiking.
- Make it easier for working people who want coverage to enroll by cutting red tape.
- Force insurance companies to be transparent about enrollment opportunities, so no one falls through the cracks.
- Protect consumers from surprise premium bills.
- Lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers by reversing the harmful Trump administration regulations that increased premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing back in June.
CLICK HERE to read more about my bill. CLICK HERE to watch me discuss it on the Senate floor as I urged my colleagues to take action.
Also on Thursday, I joined Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Ben Ray Luján, and Senator Peter Welch at a press conference to announce our caucus’ plan to address the rising cost of health care and extend the premium ACA tax credits. Crucially, this came just 26 days before those tax credits are set to expire – when premiums will skyrocket for millions of Americans. We just need our Republican colleagues to come to the table so we can get something done. CLICK HERE to watch us make the stakes clear.
ABOVE: Extending the ACA tax credits is the only way we can protect coverage for millions of Americans with the time we have.
The Workforce of the Future
The presence of AI in our daily lives is growing, and it’s growing fast. We need to understand its impact, especially on our workforce, where we’re already seeing this technology contribute to layoffs and cause occupational changes.
This week, Senators Mazie Hirono and Adam Schiff joined me to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act. Our bill, which continues the work of former Senator Laphonza Butler, would require a detailed study to grow our understanding of how AI will impact the economy and determine the skills necessary for workers to be successful. It would also provide resources so we can prepare the workforce of tomorrow to succeed in advanced technology sectors.
As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I have spent my career ensuring Delawareans can access and maintain stable, good-paying jobs. I’m keeping this commitment in the Senate as we race to confront the challenges of tomorrow. CLICK HERE to read about our bill.
Delawareans in DC
It’s always a good day when I’m able to welcome Delawareans to my office in Washington. This Thursday, I was proud to host representatives of Jobs for Delaware Graduates (JDG), a program I’ve championed for many years.
JDG is a school-to-work transitional program dedicated to helping at-risk youth reach academic and economic success. I had a great conversation with JDG teachers and students about their experiences in the program, as well as their hopes for the future.
ABOVE: I was inspired by their passions, goals, and vision of the future!
Our New Website
This week, my team and I launched our new website! Designed to reflect the spirit of the First State, you can still find all the constituent resources and information you’ve come to expect. CLICK HERE to check it out.
Deadline Extended: Apply to be a Senate Page!
Do you know a high school student who wants to get invaluable experience in the United States Senate? Consider the Senate Page Program! Pages play a critical role in Washington, from preparing the Senate Chamber for session and delivering correspondence around the Capitol to working on the Senate Floor. CLICK HERE to see my website for more information on how to apply by the extended deadline of Sunday, December 14th.
Whether it’s the grocery store, utility bills, or your health insurance premiums, it’s no secret that people are seeing a higher cost of living right now. As we close out this year and I set my priorities for 2026, I want to hear from you:
Please note that your submission may be used on the Senate floor, on social media, or with the press.
Below are some helpful resources for you:
- 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.
- 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 worldwide that offer 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 cost 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 two outstanding Delawareans. First, we are highlighting Rafael Farrera-Juarez, a student at Sussex Central High School, who has just been selected as the United States Senate Youth Delegate for Delaware. This is a major honor for Rafael and reflects his outstanding leadership both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as his involvement in his community. Part of the award is a $10,000 scholarship to further his academic journey. Rafael will be attending the 64th Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington, DC in March.
The second person being honored this week is Delaware’s 2026 Educational Support Professional of the Year: Donna Ward, the guidance secretary at Laurel Middle School. Described by Superintendent Shawn Larrimore as “the heartbeat of the Laurel School District,” Donna is an outstanding presence for educators and students alike. She coaches sports teams, organizes all kinds of events for the community, and manages a club that is a safe space for girls. She also started the district's first Special Olympics team.
Congratulations to both Rafael and Donna for these outstanding honors. You both make Delaware proud!
ABOVE: Rafael Farrera-Juarez (left), this year’s United States Senate Youth Delegate for Delaware (Photo: Sussex Central High School)
ABOVE: Donna Ward, the 2026 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year (Photo: Delaware Department of Education)
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