BETHEL

“LET ME BE BLUNT” – Weekly Update Senator Blunt-Rochester

Dear Friend,

The cost of living is too high. Delawareans are already feeling the squeeze from higher prices on food, energy, and housing. The last thing they need right now is higher health insurance premiums. But that’s what’s about to happen – and you deserve to know why.

For years, the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits have kept premiums down for millions of Americans. If these tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of this year, premiums are going to skyrocket. With open enrollment starting on November 1^st, the average American may see their premiums more than double!

This is a catastrophe waiting to happen. 16,000 people in Delaware could lose those tax credits, and about 5,000 of them could lose their coverage entirely. I’ve heard from so many Delawareans about what this will mean for them. Families will be forced to make impossible choices to make ends meet. Will they pay for insulin or pay the electric bill? Will they go to chemotherapy or go to the grocery store? No one should ever have to make those choices.

I’ve been working to find solutions with both Democratic and Republican colleagues in the House and Senate because, ultimately, this issue affects folks in all 50 states. What’s missing in this moment is leadership from President Trump and Speaker Johnson. Now is the time for us to put partisan politics aside and work together to fix this health care crisis. The American people cannot afford to wait.

As we work to reopen the federal government and restore health care for millions of Americans, please know that help is available. Governor Matt Meyer has launched de.gov/federalshutdown to help Delawareans with food, unemployment, child care, and more. You can also call 2-1-1 to connect directly with local assistance.

Critical Food Assistance

As a result of the government shutdown, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services announced that Delawareans will not receive their SNAP benefits in November. This is also happening in states across the nation.

I know how important this assistance is to the more than 100,000 Delawareans who receive it. I’m actively having conversations with Governor Meyer and our federal delegation to ensure Delawareans in need remain fed during this incredibly difficult time.

Here are some critical resources if you are being impacted:

• Call 2-1-1 or go to delaware211.org.
• Contact the Food Bank of Delaware.
• Visit your local State Service Center.

An Avoidable Disaster Waiting to Happen

In just a week, on November 1st, open enrollment begins on the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace, otherwise known as Healthcare.gov. Millions of Americans will see their health care premiums skyrocket. I’ve been in talks with Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, as well as Democratic members of the House, to do two things: open the government and restore the healthcare taken in the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

Republicans in Congress are poised to let enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expire. If that happens, 16,000 Delawareans could lose those tax credits, and thousands could lose their coverage entirely.

I recently joined Congresswoman Sarah McBride to creatively call attention to our current situation. From the Senate, to the House of Representatives, to the White House, we all need to be at the negotiating table!

CLICK HERE to watch my conversation with Congresswoman McBride.

In Defense of American Democracy

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley held the Senate floor for almost 23 straight hours this week to protest the grave actions of the Trump administration that threaten American democracy. I was proud to join him Wednesday afternoon to speak on behalf of all the Delawareans concerned by what they see coming from the White House. CLICK HERE to watch my entire speech.

The power of the people matters, and your voices hold weight. We hear you, and we will continue working and fighting on your behalf.

How have the shutdown and the high cost of living impacted you? Please click here to share your story.

Please note that your stories may be used on the Senate floor, on social media, or with the press.

As a result of the shutdown, many federal agencies will be closed or have reduced operations. While my Delaware and Washington, D.C. offices may have limited capacity, we will do everything we can to serve you. 

CLICK HERE for shutdown-related information. My team will continue to update this page as the situation develops.

[NEW] Governor Matt Meyer has created THIS LIST of state-based resources for federal workers and families affected by the shutdown.

Please find responses to some frequently asked questions below:

What is a government shutdown? 

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass annual appropriations legislation or a Continuing Resolution (CR) before the beginning of a fiscal year on October 1^st. The temporary gap in funding means federal agencies and employees are unable to carry out their usual duties or must do so on an unpaid basis for as long as the shutdown persists. As a result, many federal programs and services experience interruptions and delays during a government shutdown. 

Will Senator Blunt Rochester’s offices be open? 

My offices in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Washington, D.C. will remain open. Staff will not be able to arrange Capitol tours or fulfill flag requests. You may still submit new casework requests on our website, but please note that our team will have a reduced ability to assist you, as many federal agencies will be closed during the shutdown.

CLICK HERE to submit a request to our casework team.

• You can reach our Wilmington office at (302) 573-6291.  
• You can reach our Dover office at (302) 674-3308.  
• You can reach our Georgetown office at (302) 856-7690. 
• You can reach our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-2441.  

How will this affect me? 

• [UPDATE] Starting in November, Delawareans will not receive SNAP benefits. However, you can still apply for benefits, report changes, and complete periodic reports.
  • Beware of scams: If you receive a call or text asking for your EBT card number and PIN, do not respond. Neither the Delaware Health and Social Services nor EBT Customer Service will ever contact you for this information.
• [UPDATE] The State of Delaware is expected to be able to fund WIC through the end of the year, so no disruption of benefits is expected at this time.

• Social Security and SSI payments will continue. However, new claims may not be processed, and questions may not be answered during the shutdown. 
• Medicare benefits will continue uninterrupted. However, new Medicare cards will not be issued, and new beneficiaries may not be accepted into the program until the shutdown ends. If you’ve been receiving telehealth-based care through Medicare, your appointments may be rescheduled or moved to in-person. 
• The United States Postal Service (USPS) will continue to be fully operational. 
• You should prepare for delays at the airport. TSA, CBP, and air traffic controllers will be working without pay and/or with reduced staff for the duration of the shutdown. 
• Military and federal law enforcement will also be working without pay during the shutdown. 
• VA medical facilities will remain open, several Veterans Benefits Administration programs will continue, and burials will take place at VA national cemeteries during the shutdown. However, VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
• WIC may run out of funding soon. As a result, recipients may find that money has not been issued on their electronic benefit card as expected. 
• SNAP benefits are expected to be disrupted only in the event of an extended shutdown. 
• National parks and federal museums may close and will have reduced services. Please check the website of the facility you are looking to visit for specific guidance. 
• Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs, such as the Pell Grant and the Direct Loan program, will not be impacted. Student loan payments will continue to be processed during the shutdown. 
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for the duration of the shutdown. 
• Regional Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offices will close. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will remain operational until further notice, but with reduced capacity. This may affect your ability to obtain or refinance a mortgage through the FHA. 
• USDA’s Farm Service Agency will not implement or process several programs critical to farmers, including disaster assistance program payments related to extreme weather and direct loans.  

If you are experiencing any disruptions, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance.

On Saturday, I attended the No Kings rally in Rehoboth Beach. I was blown away. Delawareans of all ages came together with signs, chants, and passion to show their love of this country and stand up to this administration. They joined millions of Americans across our nation, and I’m taking their energy back with me to Washington, D.C. CLICK HERE to watch me talk about the rally on MSNBC.

This moment feels heavy – because this moment is heavy. But as I’ve always said, hope shines brightest in the dark. And it’s up to each of us to let it shine.

Do you have a story to share? I want to hear from you! Please click here to share your story.