Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo! Each week, I share five quick things from D.C. and Delaware: the people I’m meeting, the legislation I am tackling, and the progress we’re making together.

As always, I’m still working on the length—but I’ve got a lot to tell you this week.

1. One Big Thing: Three years ago this Tuesday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and upended nearly half a century of legal precedent. That decision—Dobbs v. Jackson—didn’t just strip away a constitutional right. It unleashed chaos and confusion across the country.

At a Democratic Women’s Caucus hearing this week, I spoke about what that cruelty looks like in real life: women forced to flee their home states just to receive basic reproductive care. Doctors afraid to save lives. Families going into tens of thousands of dollars into debt just to try to grow their family through IVF.

That’s not family values. That’s abandonment.

I’m proud that Delaware remains a safe haven for reproductive freedom. But freedom  shouldn’t depend on your zip code. I’ll keep fighting for the right of every person—no matter where they live—to make their own health care decisions.

2. Driving the News: House Republicans are still working to pass their Big Ugly Bill—a budget plan so extreme it’s being shredded in the Senate by their own party.

Why? Because even some Senate Republicans can’t stomach gutting Medicaid, slashing food aid, and stripping funding from schools and rural hospitals. Right now, critical programs are on the chopping block—and we’re barreling toward their self-imposed July 4th deadline.

The good news? The bill is fractured. There’s still time to stop it. And I’ll keep pushing to protect the services Delawareans rely on—from health care to housing to education. Because a budget is a moral document—and this one fails the test.

3. ICYMI: This week, I went to the House floor to speak for the rural hospitals that are holding Delaware communities together—and the 40,000 Delawareans who could lose coverage if this budget passes.

When you gut Medicaid, you don’t just lose a line item. You lose maternity wards, cancer clinics, and mental health care. You force working people to delay care, skip appointments, and show up at the ER facing crushing medical debt.

I said it plainly: this budget is heartless. And it puts our neighbors’ lives on the line. Watch the speech here.

4. Legislative Priority: This week, I joined my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition to unveil a tax framework that puts working families first. As a member of the New Dem Economic Growth and Cost of Living Working Group, I helped shape this plan—and I’m proud of what it delivers.

This framework isn’t about giveaways for billionaires. It’s about lowering child care and housing costs, helping small businesses grow, and making the tax code fairer for everyone. It’s smart, responsible, and grounded in opportunity.

In a week where the GOP is pushing tax breaks for the ultra-rich, we’re proving there’s another way.

5. Our State of Neighbors: As you know, nothing fills my cup like time with Delawareans—and this week, I got to meet with neighbors across our state and across sectors, all fighting for dignity, safety, and a better future. Here’s how some of those went:

• I sat down with Lucretia Young and Caroline Jones from AARP Delaware to talk about the issues that matter most to older Delawareans—from caregiving and family and medical leave to Social Security and health care access. We discussed our shared priorities and also talked about the need to fully fund the Social Security Administration—because no one should wait a year for an appeal or face dropped calls just trying to access the benefits they’ve earned. Lucretia and Caroline were clear: cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, or paid leave won’t help older Americans—they’ll hurt them. I couldn’t agree more. I’ll keep fighting to ensure our policies protect dignity and affordability for everyone in Delaware.
• I hosted an Instagram Live with Traci Murphy, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Safer Delaware, to round out Gun Violence Awareness Month. We talked about the cost of inaction, stories of survivors, and how Delaware is leading with smart, bipartisan gun safety reforms. Thoughts and prayers are not enough—and I am proud to stand alongside Traci in calling for bold, sustained action. You can watch our conversation here.
• I met with members of the Jewish Federation of Delaware where I heard powerful, firsthand testimony about the toll of rising antisemitism and the urgency for action. From expanding nonprofit security grants to holding online platforms accountable for hate, their message was clear: dignity and justice must never be partisan.
• I met with nurses from the Delaware Nurses Association from every corner of our state—from Nemours to Bayhealth. We discussed the dangerous cuts to nursing research and workforce funding in the Trump administration’s drafted budget. We also talked about what it really means to protect health care workers: funding their education, keeping them safe on the job, and providing patients and nurses with the wraparound mental health services they deserve.
• While meeting with the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, I listened to courageous stories of strength and struggle. These advocates are pushing for housing protections and funding for programs and services that keep women, mothers, and families safe.
• I got to meet with SIMVANA, Wilmington University’s groundbreaking VR training program development partner. This immersive tech is training the next generation of nurse anesthetists in Delaware—helping us build a stronger, smarter, and leading health care workforce.
• I also got to meet with medical residents and trainees from the American Academy of Family Physicians, many of whom are serving in Dover, Georgetown, Lewes, and Middletown. We discussed the importance of primary and preventative care—and how Congress can support family physicians with fair reimbursement and increased investment in primary care.

Rep. McBride with AARP Delaware.

Rep. McBride and the Jewish Federation of Delaware.

Rep. McBride and the Delaware Nurses Association.

That is all for this week’s memo! I know it was a lot, but when the stakes are this high and the neighbors are this inspiring, there’s just too much to leave out.

Stay in touch, and I'll do the same. Sarah McBride Delaware's Congresswoman

• Are you working in a STEM field in Delaware—or thinking about it? The new STAR Fund just launched to help folks like you pay down student loans while building a career here at home. Thanks to a partnership between the Delaware Division of Small Business and BioConnect DE, eligible workers in science, tech, engineering, math, and related fields can apply for up to $6,000 in tuition reimbursement over four years. Learn more and apply here!
• Congressional App Challenge: Calling all young coders! The Congressional App Challenge is now open to all middle and high school students in Delaware. This nationwide competition is a chance to flex your creativity, build real-world STEM skills, and develop your very own app. The winning app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and featured at the national #HouseOfCode celebration. Learn more and get started here.
• Scholarship Opportunity: Students facing financial hurdles in their final year of school may be eligible for up to $2,500 through the Sallie Mae Fund’s Completing the Dream Scholarship, offered in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. These awards are designed to help cover unexpected costs that could prevent students from graduating. Applications are open now and will be accepted until December 1, 2025 — or until funds run out. Learn more: SallieMae.com.
• 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

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