Let Me Be Blunt: We’ve Been Here Before

Dear Friend, Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. We’ve made it to June! And while it may be a new month, the conversations here in Washington were awfully familiar. Washington Republicans passed a budget reconciliation bill that would give $70 billion to ICE and CBP. While some of President Trump’s pet projects, like his $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6 insurrectionists, have been removed, congressional Republican funding priorities remain out of touch. With costs for groceries, healthcare, and gas rising daily, we need to invest in policies that close these gaps. Instead, my Republican colleagues remain committed to putting your tax dollars toward all the wrong things. Despite these efforts, Senate Democrats have better ideas of how to invest funds. We spent hours on the Senate floor proposing amendments that would increase healthcare access and lower costs, invest in nutrition programs, and ensure no money would go to folks convicted of crimes in relation to the January 6 insurrection. The flawed bill is now on its way to the House. Read my full statement on why I opposed this bill HERE . The New Playbook College sports are a unifying force for our communities. There’s nothing like coming together with friends and family to root for your alma mater or favorite team! But as the daughter of a college basketball player, I know the opportunities and challenges that come with being a student athlete. Today, they are even greater. After a Supreme Court ruling in 2021 on athletes’ name, image, or likeness (NIL), the playing field shifted for athletes, families, schools, and sports conferences. This week, I participated in a hearing on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation where we discussed this very issue. We heard from hall of fame coaches, college athletic directors, and a student athlete on the current state of athlete compensation. Congress is considering various reforms to college athletics and it’s critical that we get this right. Student athletes make college athletics possible so we must ensure they get the compensation and protections that they deserve. To hear some of my questions and concerns, watch my full exchange HERE . We are changing the game for college sports. A New “Blue” Economy In Delaware, our coastal communities make significant contributions to our state’s identity and economy. They drive local innovation, support agriculture, develop jobs, and play an important role in our national security. In my role on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I serve as ranking member (Democratic lead) of the subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries. This week we held a hearing focused on the important role our coastal, lake, and maritime communities play across the country and how cuts by the Trump administration are undermining their development and our global competitiveness. Coastal communities are critical to our national achievements and should be afforded every resource they need to succeed. Watch my full remarks HERE . Coastal communities are vital to the blue economy and our nation. Road Work Ahead Congress is working on the surface transportation reauthorization package, a critical piece of legislation that supports our federal highways, public transportation systems, and so much more. I serve on all three committees that play a role in this effort, which means I’m considering transportation policy from every angle. This week, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Federal Highway Administration. During the hearing, I questioned Administrator Sean McMaster on transportation grants that Delaware was awarded but has not yet received. This funding is critical to roadway safety and transportation access, including charging stations for electric vehicles and e-bikes like those at the University of Delaware. Americans are already facing rising transportation costs; they shouldn’t have to worry about the state of our transportation infrastructure too. In addition, I was proud to highlight — alongside my Republican colleague, John Curtis (R-Utah) — our Build HUBS Act focused on transit-oriented development. Watch my exchange HERE . I’ll continue to fight to ensure Delawareans have the transportation access they need. Squawk Box I’m proud to serve on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, which tackles various issues affecting our states and nation. We’ve been quite busy, so it was a pleasure to join CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to give them an update. We discussed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act , my recent vote against Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, and President Trump announcing Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence. You can watch the full interview HERE and my reaction to Mr. Pulte’s new job HERE . My colleagues and I on the Banking Committee are working hard for our communities. Healthcare for the Next Generation Proper healthcare is vital and we must ensure that all communities have access to the treatments they need. I had the privilege of meeting with Nemours Children’s Hospital patient, Leah Tomaszewski, and Dr. Renee Gresh. Leah was diagnosed with pediatric cancer and was treated by Dr. Gresh and the phenomenal team at Nemours in New Castle. Leah and her family discussed their experience and the importance of access to specialized children’s hospitals. I am so grateful to the Tomaszewski family and Dr. Gresh for sharing their stories. I will carry this conversation with me as I continue to fight for healthcare access. Leah and Dr. Gresh give me bright hope. Thank you for sharing your stories. Women and the Future of Work As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I know the value of a good job. I’ve carried this with me here in D.C. and have further focused on how emerging technologies will impact the workforce. As artificial intelligence reshapes our workforce, research is showing that women stand to feel its impact most acutely. This week, I spoke at a conference on Women, Work and AI about the importance of getting better data to understand AI’s impact, AI literacy to access opportunities and protect oneself, and the role of policymakers in this area. Almost a decade ago when I served in the House, I started a bipartisan Future of Work Caucus. Now, the future is here! We must be prepared to address the good and bad that comes with emerging technologies. Delaware’s Global Reach The news feels heavy with stories of waging wars and global conflict, and I know it can be hard to keep up. However, there are leaders from around the country working to resolve these issues right here at home. This week I met with Delawareans from U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), which for over three decades has advocated for U.S. leadership abroad. We discussed the importance of foreign development and diplomacy, leading to economic opportunities and national security at home. It’s so great to see Delawareans continuing to make a global impact. USGLC is doing great work at home and abroad. Feeding Our Communities It was great to catch up with members of the Delaware Farm Bureau to discuss the current proposed Farm Bill and resources to support our Ag economy. Facing rising costs in fuel and fertilizer and the unpredictability of war, tariffs, and weather, our farm bureaus are important partners. Delaware farmers feed our communities and should be equipped with every resource to succeed. Thank you to Delaware’s farmers for feeding our communities. For Our Kids So much of my work in Congress has been fueled by leaving things better for the next generation. This week I was honored to be named a 2025 Defender of Children by First Focus on Children. This award is a reminder that we must continue to advocate for our nation’s children and champion their best interest. Thank you to First Focus on Children for this honor! 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. Our office secured a $900 tax refund for a constituent. We also successfully advocated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on behalf of a business owner in New Castle County, regarding the work permit authorization renewal for one of their employees. Never hesitate to reach out to my office for help. CLICK HERE to learn more. This week’s Constituent Corner honors Quentin Durden, a nine-year-old birder from Milton! Quentin began birding in 2024 and has seen over 250 different species. His dream is to go birding in Costa Rica to see the crested caracara. Quentin has made it his mission to introduce more kids to the activity. On birding he said, “You get to be outside, and you get to get fresh air. You don’t just stare at a screen for the rest of your day … because you get to see birds.” This is just another example of why it’s so important that we invest in environmental protection and wildlife conservation policies. As we enter the summer months, let Quentin be a reminder to all of us to get outside and explore! Learn more about Quentin’s birding adventures on Delaware Online . Photo courtesy of Delaware Online. Capitol Conversations with LBR My Washington office will host our next Capitol Conversations on Tuesday, June 16, at 8 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 22, from 10 am to 3 pm. 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. 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.