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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to the McBride Memo! Each week, I get the chance to connect directly with Delawareans and share a bit of context behind the headlines. It has been a busy week (aren’t they all?) so here are five big things:
1. One big thing: As you may know, Congressional Republicans are advancing a budget plan that would gut Medicaid — threatening to yank care from hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. I will not sit back and let this happen. That’s why I was proud to be the second Democrat to sign a discharge petition that would force a floor vote to protect Medicaid and food assistance in the budget.
If Republicans are serious about not cutting Medicaid or SNAP, they can sign this petition and put their money where their mouth is.
I will keep calling out these proposed cuts and the damage they would do — because gutting health care for 1 in 2 kids and 1 in 5 Americans isn’t something this administration gets to do in the dark. Read more about this here.
2. Driving the news: This week, the absurdity continued on the House floor. Instead of focusing on real issues facing Americans, we voted on renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” Why? Because Mr. Trump said so, of course!
Now I know what you are thinking, “Who cares?” I agree. When my Republican colleagues are ready to actually get to work — on health care, housing, or the cost of living — I’ll be right here, ready to deliver for the American people.
3. On the floor: The United States Postal Service, like so many essential functions of our government, is under threat from this administration. That is why I took to the House floor to call out efforts to privatize USPS.
The USPS is more than just mail — it’s a lifeline for our communities and provides thousands of middle-class jobs across our country, including more than 70,000 veterans and nearly 1,000 Delawareans. We should be strengthening the USPS, not selling it off. Watch my remarks here.
4. Legislative priority: Gun violence is an epidemic, and Congress has failed time and again to close dangerous, and deadly, loopholes. That is why I co-sponsored the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, a bipartisan, common sense bill that would ban bump stocks - devices designed to circumvent federal firearm laws and dramatically increase a gun’s rate of fire.
This bill would also ban the sale, possession, and manufacture of bump stocks and similar devices that turn semiautomatic weapons into machines of mass carnage. This is common sense legislation. No more loopholes. No more delay.
5. Our state of neighbors:
- Veterans from Common Defense – including Delawarean Jeff Quiggle – met with me to discuss how Trump’s proposed staff cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs would devastate veteran care. One veteran said, “We need you to show up for us the way we showed up for you.” I will.
- I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia Stevens, Delaware’s state finalist for the national Poetry Out Loud competition. Olivia is a talented writer, robotics team captain, and all-around powerhouse student from Newark. Olivia reminded me: when we invest in young voices, they speak volumes.
- I got to sit down with David Marvel – a farmer from Harrington. We spoke about the need to expand agricultural research and support Delaware’s farmers. David’s family grows everything from grain to Mar-Del watermelons (they’re Mar-DELicious!), and his leadership has helped get fresh food into schools up and down our state. Investing in farmers like David means investing in a food system that feeds more families.
- Leaders at the Jewish Federation of Delaware came by to share their personal stories about being Jewish at this moment. From synagogue security to food aid for struggling seniors, they shared what it means to protect the vulnerable, invest in resilience, and lead with moral clarity. I’ll keep showing up for these values—because safety, dignity, and belonging should never be partisan.
- Sharon and Hannah, Delawareans impacted by lupus – joined me to talk about what it means to live with a chronic autoimmune disease that is hard to diagnose and expensive to treat. We spoke about the importance of research which is essential for early detection and equitable care. Their message was clear: patients need to be seen, supported, and heard.
- A 13 year old Delaware native and brain cancer survivor (also a gamer and American Sign Language learner!) shared with me a powerful message about hope. He and the impactful advocates at the National Brain Tumor Society spoke to the benefit of robust NIH and NCI investment, expanded clinical trial access, and smart policy. These Delaware advocates are leading with heart and urgency.
- The Delaware Healthcare Association and partners from our state’s hospitals came to discuss Medicaid, workforce shortages, and the need for infrastructure that meets families where they are. When we protect health care funding, we build a system that serves everyone.
- Radiologists from ChristianaCare joined me this week to share how cutting-edge diagnostic imaging is transforming care – and why federal support for medical education and technology is essential. Their case was compelling; when we invest in innovation, we don’t just save money – we save lives.
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| Rep. McBride meets with Common Defense in her office. |
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| Rep. McBride and David Marvel from Harrington. |
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| Rep. McBride with members of the National Brain Tumor Society. |
| Stay in touch, and I'll do the same. |
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| Sarah McBride |
| Delaware's Congresswoman |
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- Service Academy Nominations: Our office is now accepting applications from Delaware students seeking nominations to our nation’s prestigious service academies! As a member of Congress, it is my honor to support these students in their efforts to serve our nation in uniform. The application deadline is October 15th and you can find more information on eligibility and application requirements here.
- Help navigating a federal agency: If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem. If you need help navigating a federal agency, please visit: mcbride.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency
- Has Medicaid impacted your life? 1 in 4 Delawareans receive health care coverage from Medicaid. In Delaware, the federal government pays 60% of the cost of traditional Medicaid and 90% of the cost of Medicaid expansion. Our office is collecting stories from Delawareans about their access to Medicaid as Republicans in Congress continue to advance proposals to cut this life-saving program. Submit your story here.
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