Dear Friend,

Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. Last Tuesday night, I attended President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress. Joint addresses have historically been a moment for unity, direction, and leadership. While I had hoped the President would demonstrate these values, his speech fell tragically short. Even though this was one of the longest Presidential addresses in recent history, the President spent more time talking about the past than offering a vision for the future.

While Americans are struggling to pay for groceries, the President is proposing taxes on basic goods by enacting his tariff plan. As we struggle to fill critical workforce shortages around the country, the administration has fired tens of thousands of dedicated public servants – ranging from critical air traffic controllers to NIH scientists, nuclear safety experts, and park rangers.

As my colleague, Senator Elissa Slotkin, said in her rebuttal to the President last week, there is a responsible way to govern and a reckless way to govern. What this administration is doing is irresponsible and does nothing to lower costs for families.  I will continue to put the people in our state and nation first by always choosing the responsible path.

Protecting the Rights of American Workers

Last week, I was proud to stand with a bipartisan and bicameral group of hundreds of my colleagues to reintroduce the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). This comprehensive labor legislation, named in honor of former AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka, would protect the rights of workers to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits and safer workplaces.

See my statement on it here:

Delawareans in DC

I am always proud to host Delawareans on Capitol Hill – especially in our brand-new office! This week, I was fortunate to meet with the Delaware chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). With nearly a third of our federal workers being veterans, I told them how disheartened I was to see the mass layoffs that have already taken place, including at the VA. Our veterans deserve better, and I will continue to stand up for them. According to reports, the Trump administration still plans to fire over 80,000 veterans affairs workers.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester in conversation with Russ Hall from the VFW of Delaware

I was also pleased to see representatives of the YMCA of Delaware. I am so grateful for the work the YMCA does in our state when it comes to youth engagement, especially for kids with disabilities. In this time of uncertainty, they have a champion in me in the Senate.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester pictured with representatives from the YMCA of Delaware

Lastly, I met with representatives from Delaware’s Credit Unions. Credit unions typically follow the ideal of “people helping people.” I am particularly grateful for the role they play across our state in making mortgages accessible to low-income borrowers and helping people access capital to start and grow businesses. It’s why I am excited to be co-leading the bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act this Congress to give them much-needed flexibility and time to spend serving their members.

ABOVE: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester pictured with representatives from Delaware’s Credit Unions

In Case You Missed It...

I joined CNN to discuss the administration’s reckless firings of thousands of federal workers, the impact Trump's tariffs will have on us as American consumers, and the proposed illegal dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. You can watch my full conversation with John Berman here.

CALLING ALL YOUNG LEADERS: internship applications are now! 

As we get settled into our new office here in the Senate, my team and I are so excited to welcome our first class of Senate interns!

Are you a Delaware college student or recent graduate who wants to get an up-close look at government and help us make an impact on people's lives? Click here for more information and to see how you can apply today!

UPCOMING: Mobile Office Hours in Dover 

My office will be hosting our next mobile office hours at the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, March 26th. Members of the casework team will be available to assist Delawareans who need help with federal agencies including passport and visa processing, securing your Social Security benefits, getting your tax refund from the IRS and more. To RSVP, click here.

Below are some helpful resources for you:

• Lower Energy Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped pass last Congress, there are opportunities to lower your energy costs through tax credits and rebates. Check out energy.gov/save to learn more. 
• Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up to date! You can go to state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
• Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel.
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): The State Department recently launched a new version of STEP. STEP is a free service for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates by email from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling in STEP also makes it easier to contact U.S. citizens during an emergency. You can sign up for these alerts at login.gov.
• 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
• Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline. 
• Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more about at exchanges.state.gov/us.
• Protecting Your Data: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, legislation protecting the personal data of Delawareans, went into effect on January 1st. You can go to this website from the Delaware Department of Justice to find out how it will impact consumers, parents, and businesses in our state.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will be able to spread prescription drug costs across the year. These payment plans will include zero-interest installments as well as a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Learn more at medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan.

This week’s constituent corner honors Dr. Laura Wallace, my guest for President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress.

Dr. Wallace is a dedicated mother, wife, and public servant who is fervently committed to ensuring that children, parents, and caregivers are supported with federal funding. She began her career as a toddler teacher, ultimately finding her dream job in the Office of Early Childhood Development.

That was until three weeks ago, on Valentine’s Day, when she was informed by someone other than her supervisor that she was being fired – despite an exemplary review. Now, she and her husband – a disabled veteran and VA hospital probationary employee – are being left to pick up the pieces and find work, fearing for the financial future of their two children.

I am grateful to Dr. Wallace for sharing her story, and I will continue to fight to our public servants in Delaware and across our nation.

ABOVE: Dr. Laura Wallace

Yours in service, Lisa Blunt Rochester United States Senator

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