Let Me Be Blunt: He’s Out of Pocket!

Dear Friend, The Senate had its final week in session before the upcoming midterm elections, and we covered it all – from permitting reform to college sports; everything was on the table. But while the Senate debated, President Trump was working to stop some of our efforts. Earlier this week, the Trump administration implemented a “pocket rescission,” which means the President refused to spend taxpayer dollars Congress already allocated to projects across the country. The President cut funding that helped people fleeing natural disasters, sped up processing in immigration courts, supported global education programs, and uplifted small businesses through the Minority Business Development Administration. He claims he’s “eliminating wasteful spending,” but he’s actually disregarding our priorities and limiting programs that make a difference. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power of the purse, not the President, and Senators from both sides of the aisle are calling the President out for his actions. Stay tuned. Read more to see what else we covered on the Hill and how my team is working for you. Legislative Update This week, my team and I introduced legislation to address the issues impacting you and your families. I’ve heard many Delawareans are concerned about data centers and how they might impact our environment and public health. I teamed up with my colleague Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) to introduce two bipartisan bills to increase public awareness about data center impacts. Another bipartisan bill that was introduced this week will lift the cap on 529 accounts to offer families greater flexibility in saving for their child’s education.  And finally, I led a resolution to recognize October as World Menopause Awareness Month. Learn more about each of these bills below. Data Center Transparency Act of 2026 and the Data Center Community Empowerment Act of 2026 529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026 World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution An Update on Permitting Reform For years, Congress has debated updating the federal permitting process to streamline government approval for key infrastructure and construction projects, namely the buildout of new energy projects. While there’s bipartisan consensus that the permitting process needs to be adjusted, there’s been little agreement on how to tackle it. This week, the leadership of the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources announced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act , a deal to speed up permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects. While I’m still reviewing the legislation, I’m hopeful that we can come to a bipartisan solution that will increase development while maintaining our environment for generations to come. Development for the Future The University of Delaware has been leading the way on technological and biomanufacturing advancements for years! I’ve had the privilege of partnering with the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and other campus programs to support key projects and legislative efforts. Over the years, I’ve been proud to secure funding for a new building to support these research initiatives. Fast forward to today, and I was honored to swing by UD to celebrate the construction of the Securing American Biomanufacturing Research and Education (SABRE) Center. This center will serve as a pilot-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility to support NIIMBL. As they prepare for the next phase of construction, it was an honor to sign one of the facility’s key beams to signal a lasting connection to this project. March On! March On! is an organization dedicated to sharing the untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement through film, music, and the arts. Every year, March On! hosts one of the largest film festivals to elevate the overlooked voices of the movement. This year’s event was themed, “250 Years of Democracy: The Unfinished Story.” I was honored to receive the “March On! Award” for my work to advance civil rights through expanding access to healthcare, increasing economic opportunity, and strengthening voting rights. This moment was made even better when my friend and colleague, Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) presented me with the award. He received a similar award in 2025. Thank you to March On! for this honor. This week’s Constituent Corner honors Jenna DiEleuterio, a reading specialist at Talley Middle School. Jenna was named Delaware’s 2026 State Teacher of the Year and was the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. She’s been a teacher for over 15 years, helping middle schoolers develop a positive relationship with reading. I had the opportunity to thank Jenna for her work while she was visiting the Capitol this week and celebrate this remarkable honor. Thank you to all of our Delaware educators for putting our students first! Service Academy (DEADLINE APPROACHING) 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. Free PFAS Testing for Delawareans Delawareans who rely on private wells for drinking water can now request free testing for PFAS and a variety of other contaminants through a statewide program. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is partnering with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, on the drinking water sampling initiative. CLICK HERE to learn more. See the World! The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange is a joint exchange program offered by the U.S. and German governments that offers opportunities to study or work abroad for high school students, recent high school graduates with a vocational interest, and young professionals. Applications are open until November 3. 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.