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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. It’s been a difficult week. I’m sending my sincere prayers and condolences to everyone who’s been impacted by the horrific mass shootings at Brown University and at the Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Our schools should be a place for students to learn and grow. Celebrations of the Jewish holiday should be opportunities for communities to come together safely. Neither should be a place where people live in fear of gun violence.
Despite the sadness of this week, our work in Washington continued. I participated in a hearing to conduct oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act to fund our troops, and the House took a step toward forcing a vote on the Democratic proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Read on for more about our busy week and be on the lookout for a special holiday version of Let Me Be Blunt next week to conclude the year.
This Week in Washington
Funding for our Military
I voted alongside an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is a critical piece of legislation passed annually and remains the product of considerable good-faith, bipartisan work.
This year’s NDAA increases pay for our troops, demands transparency from the Trump administration when it comes to their recent boat strikes in the Caribbean, and repeals the authorization of military force that enabled the Iraq War. It also included the ROTOR Act, a bill to make air travel safer after the tragic midair collision near Washington National Airport earlier this year. Delawareans deserve to feel safe in the skies, and I'll do all I can to make sure this type of tragedy never happens again.
NEW BILL ALERT: Protecting Clean Air, Advancing Public Health
This week, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and I reintroduced our Public Health Air Quality Act to increase air pollution monitoring and improve public health. We introduced this legislation on the anniversary of the Clean Air Act, which was signed into law on December 17, 1963.
For years, under-resourced communities have borne the brunt of environmental pollution, resulting in significant health risks. This bill represents an important step toward combating toxic air quality and improving the data and tools needed to prevent further harm. CLICK HERE to read more about our bill.
Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission
On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues on the Senate Commerce Committee to conduct oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). I pressed the commissioners on affordability and cybersecurity concerns.
The FCC regulates interstate and international communications through radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Everything we watch, listen to, and hear on the airwaves is governed by the FCC. They also play a major role in ensuring access to broadband across the nation. In Delaware, we know how important this is – we all know the spots where our calls drop or our connection cuts out.
The FCC's broad impact makes their actions under the Trump administration so disappointing. They’ve politicized this independent agency and engaged in intimidation, suppressing lawful speech and targeting inclusive corporate practices. CLICK HERE for more.
ABOVE: The FCC needs to be focused on affordability, not intimidation.
Honoring a Legend
On Tuesday, I humbly attended the unveiling of Barbara Rose Johns' new statue at the Capitol. This was one of the largest statue unveilings I’ve seen – 200 people from Johns’ family were there, as well as many elected officials from both parties, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson.
Johns’ story is inspiring. When she was 16 years old, she led the fight to desegregate her school. Her lawsuit was eventually consolidated with several others – including the Belton v. Gebhart and Bulah v. Gebhart cases from Delaware – to become Brown v. Board of Education. Brown was the Supreme Court decision that declared school segregation unconstitutional.
Every state gets to choose two historic figures to be depicted by statues displayed at the Capitol. Virginians chose to replace a statue of Robert E. Lee with this statue of Barbara Rose Johns – the significance of that is not lost on me. That Johns had such an impact at the age of 16 should inspire teenagers across our nation. You are never too young to make your mark on history.
ABOVE: This statue of Barbara Rose Johns will stand in “The Crypt” at the Capitol as a representative of one of the 13 original states.
NEW BILL ALERT: Clean Water for Unincorporated Communities
I recently introduced the Unincorporated Partnerships for Grant Resources, Assistance, and Drinking Water Enhancements (UPGRADE) Act, a bipartisan bill with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). One of my proudest accomplishments in Congress was working with unincorporated communities in Delaware to help them get clean water, like Ellendale in 2022. Our bill would provide resources so more unincorporated communities can do just that, because clean water is a necessity no matter your zip code. CLICK HERE to read more.
This Week in Delaware
Supporting our Federal Workers
As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I was proud to join Senator Coons in meeting with representatives from several unions representing federal workers. We were joined by Everett Kelley, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), as well as representatives from several local unions representing workers at Dover Air Force Base, the Social Security Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Wilmington VA, and TSA.
From attacks on their collective bargaining rights to mass firings and the longest shutdown in our nation’s history, our federal workers have been at the center of the storm. Despite the challenges, they've never stopped working for the American people.
We’re always going to support our federal workers and fight to give them the respect and security they deserve.
ABOVE: Senator Coons and I with AFGE leadership
A Grand Opening at Goodwill
On Monday, Senator Coons, Congresswoman McBride, and I took part in the grand opening of Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County’s new and improved Opportunity Hub in Wilmington. Two years ago, our delegation announced more than one million dollars secured for this project. I was proud to see it come to fruition.
At the event, Cheryl Black recalled the story of her first interaction with Goodwill’s services. When trying to shop for clothes, Cheryl inadvertently opened the wrong door to Goodwill’s facility, which turned out to be the right one. That door led her to one of Goodwill's employment navigators, who eventually helped her find a new job. Cheryl was a retiree who was struggling to make ends meet. Even though she had a gap in her employment, she got started in a part-time job, which turned into a full-time job. She now enjoys life and spends more time with her friends. That “mistake” changed her life forever.
The Opportunity Hub will be an amazing resource for Delawareans like Cheryl, empowering them with the skills they need to access good-paying jobs and meet the challenges of tomorrow.
ABOVE FROM L-R: Senator Coons, Congresswoman McBride, Cheryl Black, and me.
ABOVE: This Opportunity Hub will be hard at work connecting members of our community to jobs and resources.
Celebrating Delaware’s Farmers
Last weekend, I attended the Delaware Farm Bureau’s Annual Banquet in Dover. It was a great opportunity to hear from Delaware farmers, as well as students from 4-H and the University of Delaware, on the impact of tariffs and the future of farming. The banquet also honored the farm families of the year.
Our Farm Bureau announced a big piece of news at this year’s banquet: a brand-new logo. The new logo clearly highlights Delaware and the importance of agriculture. It has an image of our state and honors the Farm Bureau’s eight decades of history.
Supporting our state's farmers has been, and always will be, a top priority for me and my team. We look forward to continuing to do so in the years to come.
ABOVE: It was great to see Delaware Farm Bureau President Bill Powers (right) and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman (left).
ABOVE: A new look for the Delaware Farm Bureau
This week, our Neighbors Helping Neighbors section honors an anonymous Delawarean who paid off $8,000 in strangers’ layaway accounts at a local store. According to DelawareOnline, this mystery man was specifically focused on accounts with toys or other items for children. He said he’s been doing this for 25 years, continuing a tradition started by his late mother.
Thank you, anonymous Delawarean, for exhibiting the very best of our state of neighbors this holiday season!
ABOVE: The anonymous Delawarean is pictured holding the receipts from this year’s purchases. (Photo: Benjamin Chambers/Delaware News Journal)
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, for the 24/7, free, and confidential 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, our Constituent Corner celebrates the City of Milford. They were just announced as one of 25 recipients of a $50,000 grant for revitalization projects in small towns across the nation. Milford will be installing brand-new, accessible public restrooms in their downtown area and near the Delaware Bayshore Byway. They’ll be enhancing the visiting experience for residents and visitors alike. Keep up the good work, Milford!
ABOVE: Milford city leaders are pictured with their $50,000 check.
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