Let Me Be Blunt: Never Forgotten

Dear Friend, Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. This weekend, I attended a Memorial Day event at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A veteran approached me and said, “Too many people don’t understand what this day is about. I think we should rename it Remembrance Day so that people never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.” It’s a real reminder that Memorial Day is not about cook-outs or sales online or at the mall. It’s about our fallen service members and our cherished Gold Star families. It’s about the values for which they fought and served. On this solemn weekend, let us remember. We just wrapped up another busy week in Washington. Of note, the Senate was slated to vote on a new budget reconciliation bill — like Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill last year that gave millions to ICE while cutting health care. This new bill would again give millions to ICE but it would also include $1 billion to support the President’s gold-plated ballroom and create a $1.8 billion payout fund for January 6th rioters. Amidst growing headlines on rising costs, this could have been an opportunity to invest in policies that close the economic gaps for American families. Ultimately, the legislation was stalled (until June 11) as Senate Republicans sparred with the Administration over perceived slush funds and as Republicans in both chambers had attendance problems. Stay tuned. I want to make sure our upcoming Veterans Resource Fair is on your radar. On Monday, June 22nd, from 10am to 3pm, we will offer veterans and their families the opportunity to access a range of services, resources, and information from federal and state agencies, as well veterans service organizations. CLICK HERE to RSVP. Protecting Our Wetlands and Wildlife I was proud to attend the annual Capitol Hill Dinner hosted by Ducks Unlimited and celebrate the organization’s commitment to protecting wetlands and wildlife habitats. In Delaware, our marshes, waterways, and coastal ecosystems are an essential part of who we are — supporting our environment, economy, and communities. I’m grateful for partners like Ducks Unlimited as we work to preserve these natural resources for future generations. Thank you to Ducks Unlimited for your commitment to our wetlands. A United Front Instead of voting on the budget reconciliation bill, House and Senate Democrats came together to oppose Republicans’ misaligned priorities. At a time when Americans are hurting, we need to face these issues head on and provide them with the relief they need. I’m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues across the Capitol and can assure you we will not stop fighting for the needs of American families. I’m proud to be in the fight with Democrats across the Hill. We’re Keeping Score Earlier this month, the Supreme Court released a decision that gutted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act and jeopardized the voices of people of color. In recent weeks, I’ve worked with my Democratic colleagues to oppose this ruling and highlight its potential impact on communities across the country. This week, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in the House of Representatives opposed the SCORE Act , a critical college athletics bill. Their goal was to urge universities that benefit from Black college athletes to stand up for their rights on and off the field. I joined my colleagues from the CBC to speak out against the Supreme Court’s ruling and encourage others to join us. This is a defining moment for our country, and we cannot let it go unanswered. Separately, as a member of the Commerce Committee, I will have more to report on regarding the SCORE Act and sports betting (which we also had a hearing on this week) in a future edition of this newsletter. I’m proud to stand with my CBC colleagues to stand up for voter protection. Price Check Our county is facing an undeniable affordability crisis. Prices from the pump to the grocery aisle continue to climb, and Delaware families are feeling the impacts. I had the chance to sit down with grocers from our state, a group that is facing the rising costs head on. We discussed how grocery stores are managing in the current economic and geopolitical environment (impacts include tariffs, supply chain disruptions from wars, fertilizer costs, etc.). President Trump’s cuts to SNAP are also impacting their businesses and customers. As they said during our conversation, “grocery stores are a people business,” and I’m grateful for their continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of Delawareans across the state. I’m grateful to the grocers working to keep our communities fed in the face of economic challenges. Empowering the Next Generation I say it often because it’s true: “Our youth are our future.” I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to connect with young Delawareans, hear what’s on their mind, and learn more about the issues that matter to them. Before heading back to D.C., I joined Senator Chris Coons and Representative Sarah McBride for our annual Congressional Delegation Youth Conference at Wilmington University’s Dover Campus. We connected with over 100 high school juniors and seniors from up and down the state. We discussed a range of topics — from AI, healthcare, and good governance to how young people can get involved. These Delawareans have a bright future ahead and I cannot wait to see all they do in our state and beyond. Our future is bright with these Delawareans leading the way. An Update on Housing For those of you who have read my newsletter over the years, you know that housing has always been one of my top priorities. Last year, I unveiled the New Way Home Agenda — my first policy agenda as your Senator — which aims to address the affordable housing crisis facing our nation. Since then, Congress has been busy working on the first comprehensive and bipartisan housing package in 36 years. In March, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and the House is close to passing a version of its own. I’m proud to share that the package currently includes five of my bills, including efforts to streamline housing development and unlock affordable housing. Additionally, my team and I are working to address housing through innovative policies, including transportation investments tied to housing planning. We still have a long way to go, but I’m hopeful about where we’re headed. I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on our continued progress. Given ongoing challenges with immigration, my team is working to support all Delawareans and ensure they have a home here. This week, we successfully worked with the Department of Homeland Security to advocate for an expedited work reauthorization for a local medical professional. Never hesitate to reach out to my office for help. CLICK HERE to learn more. This week’s Constituent Corner honors Rudy Smith, a United States Capitol Police Officer and resident of Dover, Delaware. Every morning, Officer Smith wakes up at 2am to travel from his home in Dover to Washington, D.C., to keep our Capitol safe. He has become a familiar face here on Capitol Hill and is beloved by Members and Staff alike. At the end of this month, Officer Smith will retire after 26 years of public service — 23 of those with the Capitol Police. We are immensely grateful for his service to our country and wish him well in his next chapter! Thank you, Officer Rudy, and congratulations on a job well done! Capitol Conversations with LBR My Washington office will host our next Capitol Conversations on Tuesday, June 16th, at 8 am. am. If you find yourself in the D.C. area, drop by to connect with me and my team. CLICK HERE to RSVP. Veterans Resource Fair Join my office for our upcoming Veterans Resource Fair on Monday, June 22nd, from 10 am to 3pm. This event will offer veterans and their families the opportunity to access a range of services, resources, and information from federal and state agencies, as well veterans service organizations. CLICK HERE to RSVP. 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.