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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. Less than a week after celebrating Delaware Day (marking December 7, 1787, as the day we became the first state to ratify the Constitution), I was proud to join hundreds of folks – including Senators from other states – for a “Taste of Delaware” on Capitol Hill. This annual event brings local Delaware businesses to Washington, DC to showcase their culinary skills and our traditions. Thank you to Senator Coons and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce for hosting, and to all the Delawareans who brought a little bit of home to the Capitol.
Working to Make Things More Affordable
Across Delaware and the country, families are being squeezed by higher health care and housing costs. Your ability to see your doctor and afford your home is no small matter. With issues this important, Washington should be responding with urgency.
In just a few weeks, the Affordable Care Act tax credits will expire, and millions of Americans – families, farmers, and small businesses alike – will face skyrocketing premiums. On Thursday, I voted to extend these tax credits, but my Republican colleagues blocked that bill. With premiums set to double or more, the American people cannot afford to wait. CLICK HERE to watch me discuss this.
Additionally, last weekend, a small group of House Republicans blocked bipartisan legislation that would lower housing costs. At a time when rents are rising, and homeownership feels out of reach for many, we can’t walk away from common-sense solutions. CLICK HERE to read more.
However, there is some good news!!! My bills have been included in a new bipartisan housing package introduced in the House. With the inclusion of our legislation to expand affordability and provide innovative ways to cut red tape and increase supply in both the House and Senate packages, we are another step closer to passing them into law. Please stay tuned to see how things progress. We're going to keep fighting to end the housing crisis, no matter what. CLICK HERE for more on that package.
New Bill ALERT!
This week, I introduced a new piece of legislation: the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act, which I authored with Senators Merkley and Warnock. Building off the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this bill would expand a program that bridges communities separated by ill-conceived transportation and infrastructure barriers.
Over the last four years, the Reconnecting Communities Program, which I co-led in the House, has funded projects across the country, including in Wilmington and Georgetown. In fact, I hosted a roundtable on this very issue alongside Senator Tom Carper in 2021. It’s about time we continue this investment in our communities. CLICK HERE to read more about the REPAIR Infrastructure Act.
A 21st Century Workforce
As the ranking member of the Senate’s Education & the American Family Subcommittee, I was proud to lead a hearing titled, “Building Pathways: Advancing Workforce Development in the 21st Century.” My colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle examined the importance of career and technical education and advocated for workforce development that will support the 21st century economy. CLICK HERE to read my full remarks.
ABOVE: Luke Rhine, vice president of Rodel, participated in our hearing. He shared insights on state and federal partnership and highlighted the Delaware Pathways system.
Meeting Patients Where They Are
On Monday, I joined Senator Coons and Congresswoman McBride, along with leadership, staff, and community partners, to cut the ribbon on Beebe Healthcare’s expanded mobile health clinic fleet. We also celebrated the $3.3 million in total federal funding we secured for this project and others at Beebe, all designed to improve community health in Sussex County.
This mobile health clinic fleet – which meets patients where they are – is only as good as the people who staff it. I was so moved by the stories I heard from those who are doing this critical work and from the folks they've helped. These efforts are truly saving lives in our community. CLICK HERE to read more.
ABOVE: It was great to start the week off by cutting the ribbon on Beebe’s mobile health clinic.
Deadline Tomorrow: 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 tomorrow at 11:59 PM.
Last week, I asked you to tell me whether your cost of living is up. I was overwhelmed by the number of responses I got from all over our state. Here are just some of them:
Jessica in Dover: “I can't afford health insurance, car maintenance, or my bills. I am making less than ten years ago while working more.”
Joann in Lewes: “As retired seniors, the cost of living for us is going up every day. Items at the grocery store are ridiculous… We have never lived extravagantly or beyond our means, but we have cut back so much that there is no more that we can cut back on. All this is happening while we live on a fixed income with tiny increases in our Social Security payments.”
Sharon in Wilmington: “The cost of food, utilities, auto and home insurance, has risen dramatically. It’s increasingly difficult to keep up with expenses. Christmas gifts are also more expensive, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford a new car when needed.”
To everyone who has shared their story, thank you. As I fight to lower the cost of living, these real-life testimonies will be at the front of my mind.
If you haven’t yet had the chance, I still 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 Satya Kokonda, a student at the Charter School of Wilmington. In 2024, right before his freshman year, Satya started an online group (called “CompetifyHub”) for people to share practice math competition problems. His original goal was to help students across the globe who don’t have access to the same academic resources that he does. Now, CompetifyHub has 1,600 participants from around the world, and across time zones, who help each other study math.
Sayta recently said, “There’s so much you can do beyond what you originally think of.” You’ve got that right, Satya. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
ABOVE: Satya Kokonda (Photo: CompetifyHub)
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