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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. It’s easy to get distracted by the challenges we face in Washington, but I’m excited to share that we have something to celebrate!
This week, Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act – the first comprehensive housing legislation in three decades. As a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I was proud get FIVE of my bipartisan bills included in the final package. Rooted in my New Way Home Agenda, these policies lower costs, accelerate building, and cut retape. To learn more about my policies click HERE and HERE.
This win comes at a critical time for our nation – housing supply is down, costs are up, and homeownership feels out of reach for millions. Despite the odds, Congress worked beyond partisan lines and came together to ensure everyone has somewhere to call home. I could not be prouder of what we’ve achieved. Now it’s time for President Trump to do his part and sign this bill into law.
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A Cause for Celebration
Landmark legislation like this housing bill doesn’t happen as often as it should, so I was proud to celebrate this win. I joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss the current state of affordability and highlight my contributions to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Like I shared on air, this package is a win-win for all of us and a reminder of what we can do together. Watch my full interview HERE.
It was a pleasure to join Squawk Box to talk about housing!
I also had the chance to celebrate with stakeholders at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s 2026 Housing Supply Summit. The “housers” in this room were critically involved in the process behind ROAD to Housing. It’s their advocacy and commitment that helped get this bill across the finish line. I was especially grateful to be presented with the Terwilliger Bipartisanship in Housing Award.
It was great to be with familiar faces to celebrate this housing win!
The Work Continues
The Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee had a busy week! Affordable housing is only one piece of the puzzle. We must continue to address rising costs caused by the current administration’s policies. This week, we held a hearing on the affordability crisis, where we discussed how to provide relief for our communities.
During the hearing I highlighted concerns I’ve heard from our state’s veterans and how skyrocketing prices are affecting their quality of life. We must do more to support our veteran communities and address the affordability crisis that’s affecting all of us. Watch my full remarks HERE.
We have more work to do to lower costs for our communities.
Safety First
This week, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing with key nominees for the National Transportation Safety Board, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Department of Transportation. Last year, five Delawareans lost their lives in the tragic plane crash at Regan National Airport. I spoke with nominees about the necessary aviation safety changes to ensure this never happens again. Watch my remarks HERE.
Safety is paramount – whether on the road or in the sky..
Reverse Dobbs, Restore Roe
This week marked the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This landmark case set off a series of attacks on reproductive rights leading women to fear their ability to access care and confusion for healthcare workers. I was proud to join Senate Democrats to discuss the importance of access to reproductive care and hear what experts in the field are doing to protect our communities. Watch my remarks HERE.
We must ensure our communities have access to proper reproductive care.
Supporting Our Students
As Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee’s subcommittee on Education and the American Family, I know how important it is to meet every student’s educational needs. The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and silo critical special education programs contradicts this very principle and jeopardizes the success of our students.
I was grateful to sit down with the National Center for Learning Disabilities, including CEO Jackie Rodriguez, to discuss what’s at risk for our students if President Trump’s plans go through. We must support our students and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed.
I will always work to help our students succeed.
A Spotlight on the Arts
Growing up as a dancer, I developed a love for the arts at an early age. The arts hold a critical role for our youth and our communities, serving as a unifier regardless of our differences. It was a privilege to meet with the Delaware Music Educators Association and hear how they’re introducing our state’s students to the arts early. I am so grateful for their dedication and look forward to working with them to afford our students more opportunities to let their creativity flow.
Thank you for introducing our youngest Delawareans to the arts!
Vital Signs
This week I had the opportunity to speak with Delaware’s nurses during a meeting with the American Nurses Association. Their work is critical to our well-being, and I’m so glad I got to thank them in person and hear how we can support their work.
During our meeting we discussed critical research efforts and my Nursing Workforce Center Act to address the national nursing shortage. Despite President Trump’s attacks on our nation’s nurses and efforts undermine their credibility, I will always work to support them and ensure they have what they need to succeed.
Delaware's nurses are critical to the wellbeing of our community.
Our nation’s 250th anniversary presents a unique opportunity to share the story of our founding from every perspective. I had the opportunity to share my view from the First State in The American Experiment on Netflix, a new five-part historical series. This documentary tells the story of America’s founding and offers a look ahead at what’s at stake for our democracy.
I was proud to sit alongside former Vice Presidents, Cabinet Officials, Supreme Court Justices, fellow Members of Congress, and leading historians for a bipartisan conversation on where we’ve been and where we’re going. The American Experiment is now streaming on Netflix, so make sure to give it a watch.
The American Experiment is out now, and I can’t wait for you to see it.
In this week’s How May We Serve You, I want to highlight how my team has been working to serve the needs of Delawareans across the state.
This week, the Delaware congressional delegation came together to host a Veterans Resource Fair at DelTech. It was a privilege to meet with our state’s veterans and ensure they have access to the tools they need.
Forty organizations participated in our event, offering a wide range of services. From housing assistance and mental health support to service dog programs and energy assistance, we made sure our veterans have access to live with dignity and respect.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed the Trump administration end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants in the United States. This decision contradicts the values on which our nation was founded and undermines our efforts to respond to the humanitarian crises facing Haiti. Our office is here to help any constituents who are affected by this ruling. We are available to discuss how the Court’s decision may impact individual cases, and we can submit congressional inquiries to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding pending applications where appropriate.
Never hesitate to reach out to my office for help. CLICK HERE to learn more.
This week’s Constituent Corner honors Kathy Carpenter! Kathy is a transgender rights activist, broadening opportunities for LGBTQ+ Delawareans. She helped create Sussex Pride and is the founder of TransLiance, which offers support to Delaware’s transgender community. In 2022, Carpenter donated a small collection to the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs that celebrates Delaware’s LGBTQ+ community.
May we continue to welcome and love everyone in the First State, Happy Pride!
Deadline Approaching! 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 Sunday, July 5.
Service Academy
Are you a young person interested in serving our country? Every year, I have the honor of nominating exceptional students to one of our U.S. Service Academies. The 2026 application process is now open through October 15. CLICK HERE to learn more.
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.
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