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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. In this week’s edition, you’ll find information on government funding, exciting legislative news, committee updates, and insight into the various events and meetings I attended.
But first, in recognition of Black History Month, I have a charge for you. I encourage you to personally seek out and highlight the achievements African Americans have made – and are making – in our state, country, and world, and SPREAD IT. This is more important now as we witness the removal of American history from National Park Service exhibits on slavery in Philadelphia; the “rotation” of exhibits at the Smithsonian; and the denigration of the first Black President and First Lady on social media.
This is an “each one, teach one” American history moment – from classrooms, workplaces, houses of worship, and community centers to our homes. I was truly blessed to have a Dad, Ted Blunt, who loved and valued books, history, and information. At a time when little Black history was taught in our classrooms, Dad made sure his daughters were informed and also able to sing with pride the words of the immortal soul singer, James Brown, “Say it Loud – I’m black and I’m proud.”
Let’s dive in!
What’s Going on with Government Funding?
This week, President Trump signed legislation that funds most of the government for the rest of the fiscal year. The package funded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two weeks, giving Congress time to negotiate necessary reforms.
As I told you last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is broken. It has turned into a roving secret police force responsible for the deaths of at least two American citizens. Congress needs to enact meaningful reforms that will allow local law enforcement to do their job and promote public safety.
Legislative Success: Lower Costs for Seniors
I’m beyond thrilled that my Senior Savings Protection Act, which I introduced with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) last year, is now law! Our legislation reauthorizes funding for outreach and assistance for seniors with limited incomes on Medicare. It ultimately empowers them to make more informed decisions about their health and save millions in health care costs. This legislation was supported by over 100 organizations, from AARP to the National Council on Aging. To see the list of supporters, CLICK HERE.
Committee Updates
➡️ My colleagues and I on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I asked Dr. Bhattacharya about the Trump administration’s unprecedented assault on Americans’ trust in vaccines and the decision to overhaul our immunization schedule to match Denmark’s. Denmark is 57 times smaller and less diverse than our country, with universal health care and paid parental leave – it’s like comparing apples to kiwis. A fiery exchange followed when Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the committee’s chairman, agreed with my assessment. CLICK HERE to read more.
➡️ This week’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing focused on the importance of investing in the cybersecurity of our water infrastructure. There are already programs in place to make these investments, but they’re not fully funded. This puts small and rural systems at greater peril. The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, which I introduced last month with Senator John Curtis (R-UT), would change that. CLICK HERE to read more.
➡️ This week, I also had the chance to press Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on how the administration plans to convert warnings from internal reports on the housing crisis into action. I was disappointed in the Secretary’s answers during our Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing. It’s time to take responsibility, give families the clarity they need, and work across the aisle to lower costs. CLICK HERE to read more.
ABOVE: Lowering the cost of housing is already a bipartisan priority in the Senate. Secretary Bessent needs to give it the attention it deserves.
Delawareans in DC
When I’m in Washington, there’s nothing that brings me more joy than hosting Delawareans in my office. Here are a few of the organizations I met with this week:
➡️ I met with leaders from Widener University Delaware Law School, including President Stacey Robertson, to discuss their partnership in the visionary Education Hub expansion in the City of Wilmington. We also brainstormed ways we can collaborate going forward. A special note of thanks for all they do to grow our state’s legal pipeline.
➡️ The Climate Action Campaign, which is a broad coalition of leading climate and environmental advocacy groups, came by to discuss their priorities and our work together. I serve on committees that intersect with our shared goals of promoting healthy communities, creating great jobs, and protecting our planet. Over the past few years, they've been a great resource and supporter of my bills, including the Public Health Air Quality Act. The message was two-fold: 1) Continue building on our progress and planting seeds for our future, and 2) hold this administration’s EPA accountable. Our health, wealth, and environment depend on it.
➡️ Thank you to the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police for another very productive conversation about public safety. Topics included a police code of conduct and expectations across our country, building and maintaining trust, and ensuring our state and local law enforcement and communities are safe. In addition, the resolution I introduced with Senator Chris Coons to honor the life and legacy of Corporal Ty Snook passed the Senate this week.
➡️ Padraig McDonnell, CEO of Agilent Technologies, and I connected on the work Agilent is doing in Delaware and around the globe. Their Resolve handheld Raman spectrometer (Google it) was named “Coolest thing made in Delaware” by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Manufacturing Association, and will be used at the upcoming World Cup. They’re keeping the world safe with Delaware tech!
➡️ Representatives of the Delaware Rural Water Association came by to discuss my bipartisan water infrastructure resilience bill, the UPGRADE Act, as well as their wastewater apprenticeship program at William Penn High School.
ABOVE: Meeting with Widener University Delaware Law School
ABOVE: Meeting with the Climate Action Campaign
ABOVE: Meeting with the Delaware Rural Water Association
A New Beginning in Wilmington
Years ago, I attended and taught Sunday school at 8th Street Baptist Church in Wilmington. Now, that location is home to West End Neighborhood House’s new Education Center. It’ll house Seeds of Jesus Daycare and support adult education, workforce development, and community engagement. The renovation was funded by almost $3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
I was so proud to join federal, state, and local partners to cut the ribbon on this amazing facility. Also on hand were Paul Calistro, West End’s executive director, and Sarah Reyes, Seeds of Jesus Daycare’s director. We were even treated to an adorable and inspiring rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” by some of the children!
ABOVE: Delawareans of all ages will be learning and growing at West End’s new Education Center for years to come.
Calling Young Leaders: Summer 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 summer. We’ll have internships available in Delaware and D.C. that cover the legislative and communications portfolios. Applications for internships in D.C. are due on Tuesday, March 10th. The application deadline for internships in Delaware is Friday, March 13th. CLICK HERE for more information and to see how you can apply today!
Delaware High School Students: Apply to the Senate Page Program
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 critical roles 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 Friday, February 27th, deadline.
Please head to my website’s Resources for Delawareans page for information about lowering your energy costs, scheduling passport appointments, finding emergency housing, accessing food assistance, paying for prescription drugs, connecting with mental health resources, and more.
CLICK HERE FOR MY RESOURCES PAGE.
This week’s Constituent Corner honors R&B star SZA for winning two GRAMMYs last weekend. SZA was awarded "Best Melodic Rap Performance" and "Record of the Year for “luther,” one of her newest collaborations with Kendrick Lamar. SZA, an alumna of Delaware State University, has now won seven GRAMMY awards, in addition to numerous other accolades and critical acclaim for her music. Congratulations, SZA!
ABOVE: SZA (Photo: Amy Sussman Photo/Getty Images)
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