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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. This week, Delaware celebrated the life of Delaware State Police Corporal Grade One “Ty” Snook, the officer who lost his life in the recent senseless shooting at the Wilmington DMV. Cpl/1 Snook dedicated his life to serving his community and displayed what true heroism looks like. Thousands attended his celebration of life on Monday at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, including officers from almost every state.
Let us always remember Cpl/1 Snook’s courage and commit to lifting his loved ones up in his honor.
Right now, we’re only 11 days into what's shaping up to be a very consequential year.
The administration began 2026 by capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While it’s true that Maduro has caused incredible harm to the Venezuelan people, using the U.S. military to take him by force sets a dangerous precedent. Now, the President is claiming that the United States will control Venezuela and its natural resources – what's to stop Russia from doing the same to Ukraine? President Trump said he would put “America first,” but he's making our world less safe. We don’t have any clarity on how much all this will cost to taxpayers or what the plan is for how long the administration will be, in the words of President Trump, “running" Venezuela. It’s also not clear who’s next – Greenland?
Just days after Venezuela, we saw yet another instance of overreach and violence perpetrated by this administration. By now, many of you will have seen the horrific video of the shooting in Minnesota.
It’s clear that the militarization of ICE agents has led to increased violence in American cities, and the misinformation being spread by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is causing real harm. The death of Renee Good was tragically avoidable, and justice must be served. CLICK HERE to watch my full response.
Both incidents are part of an ongoing, troubling pattern. I will continue to demand accountability from the President and his cabinet for these actions.
This Solemn Anniversary
Tuesday marked five years since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. A lot has been said about the events of that day. They’ve been distorted, romanticized, and even downplayed. But we, as a country, can never forget what happened. We must always remember, reflect, and recommit to the future of our democracy.
Tuesday evening, I took to the Senate floor to share my story. CLICK HERE to watch my full remarks.
ABOVE: I shared my January 6th story on the Senate floor.
ABOVE: Many public servants support us at the Capitol every day. On January 6th, I was glad to help serve them lunch as a thank you for their tireless dedication.
Roundtable on Housing Affordability
On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues from the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee for an important roundtable on housing affordability. Currently, the cost of housing is skyrocketing across the country, and unfortunately, the Trump administration’s policies are exacerbating the issue.
It’s time for the federal government to get off the sidelines and pass the ROAD to Housing Act. CLICK HERE to watch my colleagues and me break down what the housing affordability crisis means in each of our states.
ABOVE: I’m grateful for the important conversation we had at this roundtable.
NEW BILL ALERT: Improving Water Infrastructure
I was proud to introduce the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, which I authored with Senator John Curtis (R-UT). Our bill would reauthorize essential resilience programs to help water and wastewater utilities receive the funding they need. This would enable them to upgrade our country’s aging water infrastructure and help it withstand climate disasters and cyber threats. These dangers could potentially disrupt water services, compromise critical data, and risk public health and safety. CLICK HERE to read more.
Ready, Set, Go!
Delaware is the proud home of Dover Motor Speedway – otherwise known as “The Monster Mile” – which hosts NASCAR’s best drivers for a race weekend each year.
This week, I met with some of NASCAR’s top leaders in my Washington, DC office. We had a great conversation about how we can work together to benefit the First State for years to come.
COMING UP: Mobile Office Hours in New Castle
My office will host our next mobile office hours event at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center on Tuesday, January 27th. Members of our casework team will be available to help Delawareans in need of assistance. To RSVP, CLICK HERE.
The Affordable Care Act tax credits expired on January 1st. Without further action, monthly health care costs are now set to skyrocket for millions. For example, a 50-year-old couple in Middletown making $85,000 a year will see their premiums increase by $1,324 per month for a standard silver plan.
On Thursday, 17 House Republicans joined Democrats to support reviving and extending these tax credits. They know families can't afford the price hikes they're facing. We now need our colleagues in the Senate to do the same and support this measure.
As this fight continues, I’m looking for more stories from Delawareans on how the high cost of health care would affect you.
*If you've already shared this information with my team and me, we still have your response. There is no need to submit again.*
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 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’s Constituent Corner honors Jennifer Goldsborough, a special education coordinator at Gunning Bedford Middle School. After the sudden passing of a beloved fellow educator in the Colonial School District, Goldsborough was inspired to do something about the high levels of stress that many educators face. She created the “Zen Den,” a space for her and her colleagues to gather, relax, decompress, and find support. Her efforts have been so successful that other schools are in the process of creating similar rooms. Congratulations, Ms. Goldsborough, and keep up the good work!
ABOVE: Jennifer Goldsborough in a “Zen Den” (PHOTO: Kelly Powers/Delaware News Journal)
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