LET ME BE BLUNT – Latest Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester Newsletter
Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. As your Senator, my top priority is serving you. That doesn’t just mean introducing legislation and casting votes in Washington. It also means helping you navigate federal agencies to access the services you deserve.
I began my career in public service as an intern and later a caseworker for then-Congressman Tom Carper. I worked with constituents on everything from Social Security benefits to IRS disputes. So, in this week’s newsletter, I want to highlight some of the services my team provides for Delawareans, from casework to upcoming events and exciting opportunities for young people.
If you’re having difficulty with a federal agency, my team is here to help you. Even if we don’t have the answer, we’ll point you in the right direction. As always, if you have questions about anything covered in this newsletter, please feel free to contact my office by CLICKING HERE.
WEEKLY CASEWORK SUCCESS STORY
This week, I’m highlighting one way my amazing casework team can help Delawareans like you.
Recently, a 90-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Lewes contacted my team looking for help obtaining a specific form to receive VA benefits. After reaching out to the agency, we were informed that his service record had been destroyed in a fire in 1973. My team worked with the National Archives and Records Administration to ensure they issued a Certification of Military Service. Now, he’s able to receive the VA benefits he’s earned.
If you need help getting a document from the National Archives and Records Administration or resolving another issue with a federal agency, please reach out to my office. CLICK HERE to get in touch with my casework team.
[NEW] It’s Tax Season: RSVP for my Annual IRS Webinar
Have questions about filing your taxes this year? I’m hosting my annual webinar with special guests from the IRS and Delaware Taxpayer Advocate on Monday, March 9th, at 2:00 PM. We hope to see you there! CLICK HERE to register for this year’s webinar.
Seeking Applications: Stars of Valor Fellowship
My Dover office is seeking a Stars of Valor Fellow! This is a two-year, paid, full-time opportunity open to veterans, Gold Star families, and Active-Duty military spouses seeking experience working in government. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply by the Saturday, May 9th deadline.
Calling Young Leaders: Summer Internship Applications are Open!
Are you a Delaware college student or recent graduate who wants to make an impact on people’s lives? Are you interested in getting an up-close look at how the federal government works? Consider applying for an internship with my office this summer. We’ll have internships available in Delaware and D.C. that cover the legislative and communications portfolios. Applications for internships in D.C. are due on Tuesday, March 10th. The application deadline for internships in Delaware is Friday, March 13th. CLICK HERE for more information and to see how you can apply today!
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 the Friday, February 27th, deadline.
CONSTITUENT’S CORNER
This week’s Constituent Corner honors everyone who’s competed for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Italy! They’ve now won 11 gold medals at these games – a new record!
I’d like to especially highlight one member of the team: Mystique Ro, who competed in skeleton racing. Her mom, Nicole Ro, recently came together with folks in Long Neck and from around the Millsboro area to cheer Mystique on. Mystique, congratulations from all of us in Delaware!
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Is there a person or organization that’s been going the extra mile for our state? Do you know of a Delawarean doing exceptional things? Please tell us who we should honor in next week’s edition of Let Me Be Blunt.
SAFETY MATTERS – State of Delaware Issue CCXXVII Dec. 2025
Consumer Product Safety Commission Offers Safe Cooking Tips for a Joyful Holiday \Season
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is
issuing an urgent reminder that the holiday season marks
the most dangerous time of year for cooking-related fires
and injuries.
Forty-five percent of annual residential fires are cooking-related, according to CPSC’s report on Residential Fire and Loss Estimates. Cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day, with an average of 1,400 cooking fires. That’s more than three times the daily average of cooking fires. “Every year, we see preventable fires and injuries caused by cooking accidents during the holidays,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “We’re urging everyone to stay focused when in the kitchen because a few minutes of attention can make the difference
between a happy holiday and a heartbreaking one.”
Follow CPSC’s practical holiday cooking safety tips:
• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stand by your
pan!
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from
the cooking area.
• Keep flammable items, like oven mitts, wooden
utensils and food packaging, away from the stovetop.
• Turn pot handles inward to prevent accidental spills
and burns.
• If a grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding a
lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Never use
water on a grease fire.
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use
it.
Turkey fryers create particular risks, causing fires, injuries
and property damage. Remember COOK when using one.
C: Carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions.
O: Overheat–Never overheat oil and use an oil with
a high smoke point.
O: Overfill–Never overfill the oil in your turkey fryer.
K: Keep the fryer out of the garage, off the deck and
away from the house.
Always, make sure you have a working smoke alarm
on each level of your home, outside sleeping areas and
inside bedrooms.
Go to https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education for more information.
December 10, 2025, through January 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and local law enforcement will step up efforts to stop impaired driving and protect road users’ safety in alignment with the winter holiday high-
visibility enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
· Always drive 100% sober. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many.
· Plan ahead: Before you have even one drink, designate a sober driver to get you home safely. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make this decision, you might not make the best one. You have options to get home safely: designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or rideshare.
Getting home safely is always worth it.
· Designate: If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink.
· Report: If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
· Be a friend: If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and let a sober driver get your friend home safely.
Did You Know?
62% of people who died in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020 were the alcohol-impaired drivers themselves; 38% were passengers of the alcohol-impaired drivers, drivers or passengers of another vehicle, or nonoccupants (such as a pedestrian).
Go to www.nhtsa.gov to get more facts about drinking and driving.
DECEMBER IS SAFE TOYS & GIFTS AWARENESS MONTH
This holiday season, consider these guidelines and concerns when choosing safe toys and gifts.
• Buy age-appropriate gifts. What is the recommended age and developmental level?
• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Does it have sharp edges, loose or breakable parts?
• Check labels for testing by the American Society for Testing and Material Standards.
• Are you giving sports equipment? Is there accompanying protective gear?
• Pay particular attention to small parts, magnets, button batteries or other easily swallowed hazards.
• Is it made of fabric? Is it labeled flame resistant or flame retardant?
• Is it stuffed or plush? Is it washable?
• Be very cautious with toys that launch projectiles, such as BB guns, slingshots, and darts.
• Before purchasing, check the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website for warnings and recalls.
Go to https://www.cpsc.gov/ for more toy safety information.
