BETHEL

Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. One thing was clear this week: Small-minded forces are trying to distance us from the American spirit that led us to accomplish big things, like passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Fifteenth Amendment legally granted the right to vote to people of all races — people like my great-great-great grandfather, who was formerly enslaved. I proudly carry a scarf that is printed with his Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath from 1867, as a reminder of our nation’s and my family’s history. But for nearly a hundred years, the Fifteenth Amendment was regularly defied, and Black citizens’ right to vote was heavily suppressed.

It wasn’t until Selma’s Bloody Sunday that our nation was galvanized to fully uphold voting rights. For over 60 years, the Voting Rights Act has been a symbol of a democracy inclusive of all Americans. I was four years old when this law was signed — but we are still fighting this battle. Republicans in Washington have been pushing for the SAVE America Act, which would make it harder for some Americans to participate in our democracy. This week, after chipping away at the Voting Rights Act for years, the Supreme Court struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana. Justice Kagan described this ruling as the “now-completed demolition of the Voting Rights Act.”

I’m saddened but not swayed. After this ruling, I met with Senate leadership, civil rights leaders, voting rights advocates, and lawyers to discuss the critical work of defending our democracy. CLICK HERE to watch my remarks as we fight back.

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The EPA Is Failing Us
Delaware has our fair share of environmental challenges, including frequent flooding and poor air quality. I’ve fought hard to keep our communities safe and healthy, and you’ll read more about my work in next week’s newsletter.

But the Trump administration has undone so much of the progress we’ve made — from dismantling environmental regulations to terminating grants for clean air and water. So, when EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin came before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this week, I questioned him about transparency and rollbacks to environmental protections. CLICK HERE to watch.

Attendance Isn’t Just for Students
While the EPA Administrator did appear before Congress, other Cabinet officials weren’t so transparent. This week, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was supposed to meet with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. At first, she requested that the meeting be closed to the public and the press. When one of my colleagues said he would call the press into the meeting, she cancelled.

If I had the chance to talk with Secretary McMahon, I would have questioned her burn-it-down approach to the Department of Education. The Trump administration has gutted the Department — including the firing half the staff at the Office for Civil Rights, which handles cases of sexual harassment and assault against students. If students are expected to show up, so should the leaders responsible for educating them.

A Safe Place to Call Home
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was created to give a safe place to call home to people fleeing crises in their home countries. But the current administration is trying to end TPS for over one million people from 17 countries. In Delaware, we have thousands of community members who are TPS holders from countries including Haiti who chose our state as a safe place to start again.

Before the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case this week, I joined Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senator Ed Markey, and advocates to highlight the importance of TPS for our workforce, our values, and our communities.

Three Counties, One Goal
Delaware is a diverse state — from our vibrant cities to our scenic farms and beaches. While the three counties all have different priorities, they are united by one goal: making the First State the best place to live, work, and visit.

I recently discussed all this and more with leaders from New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties and the National Association of Counties (NACo). From housing to infrastructure to quality of life, our county governments are our partners. I’m committed to protecting federal funding for our counties, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. These programs are the primary source of federal funding for water infrastructure, but the President’s proposed budget would eliminate nearly all of their funding. This is another issue that I and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, raised with EPA Administrator Zeldin when he came before us this week.

Banking on our Communities
Community banks play such an important role in supporting our local economies. That’s why I was so happy to meet with Jack Riddle, president of Community Bank Delaware, this week in Washington. We had a robust conversation on how Congress can create and promote an environment where our communities flourish.

Here’s to the Moms
As a mother of two and grandmother of one, I know firsthand how hard it is to raise a family in this country. That’s why I’m fighting to lower the cost of childcare, make housing affordable, expand paid family and medical leave, protect Medicaid, and invest in education.

This week,  I was honored to be recognized as a champion for pro-family affordability policies by MomsRising — a nationwide movement working to achieve economic security for all women, mothers, and families. And I loved seeing our littlest superheroes!

HOW MAY WE SERVE YOU?

One of my first jobs as a teenager was flipping burgers at McDonald’s, where I would ask customers, “How may I serve you?” I’m still asking that same question today. I’ve carried this spirit with me all the way to the Senate, as my team and I work to address the needs of Delawareans. In this new section of the newsletter, I’ll be highlighting ways that we have helped our constituents.

Back in September, the U.S. Postal Service closed their office in Ocean View for emergency repairs. But this process left the town’s residents without many alternatives or answers. Together with Senator Coons’s and Congresswoman McBride’s offices, my team has been in steady communication with USPS to address this issue.

I’m happy to share that we recently obtained the following update:

• Building repairs are scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026, and are expected to be completed by September 30.
• The office will reopen when USPS receives a Final Beneficial Occupancy letter confirming the building meets all safety and operational standards.
• USPS has ordered a Jumbo Letter Collection Box to replace the current collection box at 220 Atlantic Avenue, which is frequently filled to capacity. The new box is expected to be installed by May 30.
• USPS has ordered additional PO Boxes for Ocean View customers to use at the Bethany Beach Post Office. These boxes are also expected to be installed by May 30.

Never hesitate to reach out to my office for help. CLICK HERE to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S CONSTITUENT CORNER – HONORING AMAZING DELAWAREANS

This week’s Constituent Corner honors Bishop Vincent P. Oliver. While serving the needs of at-risk families as a social worker and community advocate, he discovered a new calling in life and entered the ministry. Since 1986, he has served as the Senior Pastor of the New Calvary Baptist Church in Wilmington.

Last weekend, I was delighted to attend the 40th Pastoral Anniversary Banquet honoring Bishop Oliver and his wife Veronica. It was truly a joy to recognize their decades of service and the impact they’ve had on their congregation and broader community. May they continue to uplift lives for many years to come.

Onward in Service,