Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to this week’s McBride Memo—my weekly dispatch to Delawareans.

This week, we saw a theatric, lie-riddled State of the Union address from President Trump—heavy on spectacle, light on truth, and completely disconnected from the reality families here in Delaware are living every day. Here are five quick things:

1. One big thing: This week, Delawareans and Americans across the country watched the State of the Union Address—but what we witnessed was far from a serious assessment of the state of our nation, but a trail of falsehoods and disinformation intended to distract from this administration’s disregard for the struggles of Americans around the country. 

Time and again, Donald Trump has broken his promises to working families, seniors, small businesses, farmers, and villainized marginalized communities instead of delivering results that assist and respect my neighbors. His speech—riddled with misleading, exaggerated, and blatant lies about his time in office—served only to wrap himself in the glory and valor of other people who have bravely and selflessly served their communities and their country. 

Often, it is difficult to keep up with the president’s consistently grandiose and pervasive dishonesty. But, following Tuesday’s address, we pulled together these helpful graphics that help bring a few of his lies into the reality of truth and fact. I hope you’ll take a chance to review the facts versus fiction. 

While the president misled, exaggerated, and blatantly lied about the impact of his work, Delawareans know the truth. Families are stretched thin everywhere; health care premiums are skyrocketing, gas prices are still too high, tariffs are still hitting consumers here at home, and inflation means your dollars can only go so far. 

Bottom line: Donald Trump and congressional Republicans’ agenda has never put working people first. It rewards the wealthy and the well-connected, and leaves working families to foot the bill. Our country deserves better, and I will continue to stand up for our state of neighbors in the face of these affronts to our economy, our liberties, and the future of our democracy.

2. Driving the news: Speaking of the president’s reckless and dangerous actions, for nearly a year he has imposed nationwide sales taxes on the American people. Last week, the Supreme Court affirmed what my colleagues and I have been saying all along: his tariffs are illegal.

Trump overstepped his constitutional authority and left families, farmers, and small businesses here in Delaware to feel the squeeze—costs have gone up and consumers are paying the price. Over and over again, my colleagues and I have voted to repeal the president’s tariffs and, after the Court’s decision, he reimposed 10% global tariffs that will last three months unless Congress extends them—a decision I will work to halt. 

The Court’s decision is a clear example of our checks and balances at work, a rare and welcome sight at a time when every single lever of government seems to be run by the president’s cronies and sycophants. 

Tariffs can be a legitimate policy tool when used strategically— but reckless, unilateral trade policy raises costs for everyday Americans and undermines our economic stability. 

Because Delawareans deserve trade policy rooted in stability and accountability, I will keep working to ensure that any tariffs are properly and legally enacted and that consumers like you, not just large corporations, will receive the refunds they are owed as a consequence. 

3. ICYMI: Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—under the direction of Administrator Lee Zeldin and at the demand of the President—repealed  foundational pillars of environmental protection policy, including key vehicle pollution standards and the endangerment finding.

The endangerment finding, a landmark rule, determined a simple truth: greenhouse gasses endanger public health. A basic truth backed by decades of science and research, eliminating the endangerment finding gives fossil fuel companies license to pollute at will, stripping critical protections that save lives. 

This rule underpins various EPA standards and has led to the rolling back of vehicle pollution standards that will make it more difficult to clean up our air, fight asthma, cancer, and chronic disease all while raising costs for consumers. 

We already know that the impacts of climate change are not theoretical in Delaware, they are a part of daily life. As the lowest lying state in the nation, sea level rise poses an existential threat to our communities here at home, and that is just the beginning. Beyond our coasts, Delaware summers are hotter and longer—putting a strain on the health and safety of our aging population and children and pushing our electric grid to the limit. 

Repealing these standards does absolutely nothing to help working Delawareans, families, or our communities. Instead, Trump and Zeldin are prioritizing big profits for corporations at the expense of my neighbors. 

Delawareans are certainly resilient, but resilience alone is not enough. We cannot tell families already living with chronic flooding and dangerous heat waves that science is “unduly pessimistic”. The cost of inaction is too high for our homes, our economy, and our way of life. Climate change is here, and in Delaware we know the stakes could not be clearer. 

4. Legislative priority: I am excited to share that, earlier this week, the annual appropriations and Community Project Funding (CPF) request forms opened on my website! This process is one of the most direct ways we can put federal dollars to work for Delawareans—supporting local projects, strengthening critical services, and investing in the work and the people that make our state of neighbors strong. 

Last year, I was proud to support and deliver over $164 million to projects across our state—from infrastructure and public safety, to health care and education—these investments help ensure that Delaware families see on the ground results, right in their communities, of their tax dollars. 

Just as importantly, this process ensures that my neighbors’ voices are heard directly in the federal funding conversation. Community leaders, nonprofits, and local governments know where the needs are—and my job is to carry those priorities forward. 

If you operate or know of an eligible organization, I would invite you to review the guidance here and submit requests by March 6th at 11:59 PM EST. You can find out more about the appropriations process, and apply, here. You can learn more about the CPF application process, and apply, here.

5. Our state of neighbors: This week and last, as always, I found time to connect with just a few Delawareans who consistently go above and beyond to showcase and uplift their neighbors, their communities, and their talents. Here are few of those meetings and events: 

In Smyrna, I spent the day visiting small businesses that are the backbone of the community. From longtime storefronts to newer entrepreneurs planting roots, I heard directly from shop owners about rising costs, workforce needs, and what it takes to keep the lights on and the doors open. Each stop was a reminder that small businesses aren’t just economic engines—they’re gathering places, job creators, and reflections of the people who pour their lives into them. When we talk about affordability and opportunity in Washington, this is who I’m thinking about.

At the Youth Environmental Summit, I spoke to hundreds of Delaware young leaders who are clear-eyed about the urgency of Delaware’s position in the face of climate disaster. These students aren’t waiting for permission to shape the future—they’re researching, organizing, and proposing real solutions to protect our air, land, and water. My message to them was simple: sustainability isn’t a partisan issue, its consequences will fall to each of us. I left inspired by their determination and more committed than ever to ensuring federal policy matches their ambition.

During my visit to the Wilmington Urban League, we talked about economic empowerment, workforce development, and closing opportunity gaps that have persisted for far too long. The Urban League’s work—supporting entrepreneurs, connecting people to good-paying jobs, and advocating for equity—is about turning potential into progress. Partnership like this is how we build an economy that works for everyone.

At the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Founders Day Town Hall, we gathered in the spirit of service and sisterhood to talk about civic engagement and the challenges facing our communities. For generations, Delta Sigma Theta has led with purpose—advancing education, public service, and social action. The conversation was candid and energizing, grounded in the belief that democracy works best when people show up and speak out.

I met with Chesapeake Utilities to discuss energy reliability, affordability, and innovation in the energy space. Families and small businesses alike are feeling pressure from rising costs, and utility providers play a critical role in keeping energy dependable and bills manageable. We talked about infrastructure, innovation, and ensuring that federal investments are helping Delawareans today while preparing us for tomorrow.

Advocate for the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, Delaware native Joe McDonough—founder of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation—joined me in my D.C. office to discuss the need for sustained federal funding for adolescent and childhood cancer research. As the leader of one of the most impactful childhood cancer nonprofits in the country, Joe, alongside Dr. Harrison, the new Head of Oncology at Nemours, is fighting every day to support families navigating a diagnosis and to cut through the barriers that stand in their way. Their advocacy is about more than research—it’s about ensuring every child has a real chance at a healthy future. 

In my meeting with Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEMEC), we focused on the importance of grid reliability, local control, and smart investments in energy infrastructure. Municipal utilities serve communities across our state, and ensuring they have the tools to modernize while keeping costs stable is critical. Reliable power isn’t a luxury—it’s foundational to daily life.

I also met with the American Veterinary Medical Association to discuss workforce shortages, public health preparedness, and the essential role veterinarians play in both animal and human health. From supporting Delaware’s agricultural industry to protecting pets who are members of our families, veterinary professionals are a quiet but critical part of our health ecosystem.

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership shared insights about water infrastructure and technical assistance for small and rural communities. Safe drinking water and functional wastewater systems might not always make headlines—but they are essential to public health, economic development, and environmental protection. Rural communities deserve the same quality infrastructure as anywhere else.

Finally, in a conversation with the American Alliance of Museums Advocacy, we talked about how museums serve as classrooms, economic drivers, and keepers of our shared history. In Delaware, our museums tell the stories of service, resilience, and innovation that define who we are. Protecting cultural institutions means protecting our collective memory—and investing in future generations who will carry those stories forward.

Whew! What a week. From presidential lies in the House Chamber to uplifting meetings with my neighbors, this week was full of highs and lows. I remain, this week and always, committed to ensuring your voices are heard in DC. 

That’s all for this week, have a great weekend, Delaware! 

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

• My office is hosting Mobile Office Hours on Tuesday, March 3rd from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Seaford. My Constituent Advocacy team will be available to assist Delawareans experiencing issues with federal agencies, including the IRS, Social Security, Veterans Benefits, and more. RSVP here. 
  
• Applications for the Spring round of EDGE 2.0 are open now! The Delaware Division of Small Business is now accepting applications for EDGE 2.0, the state’s flagship grant competition. This spring, $1.15 million is available to support early-stage businesses, with awards based on the strength of each pitch—not a fixed number of winners. Eligible Delaware-based businesses that have been operating for less than seven years can apply between February 6 and March 6. Learn more and apply at de.gov/edge
• Are you looking to stay up-to-date with Congressional appropriations? Fill out this new form to get onto Rep. McBride’s distribution list for updates about CPFs. The team will reach out to this list when CPF applications open and access the request form for general programmatic and language requests. 
  
• A simple step that can save lives. Smart911 is a free, secure service that lets you create a safety profile with critical information—like medical conditions, medications, disabilities, and emergency contacts—that 911 operators can see when you call for help. That means first responders have the information they need before they arrive, helping them act faster and smarter. Learn more and sign up at www.smart911.com! 
  
• Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The deadline to submit your artwork is April 1, 2026. If you know a student interested in applying – please visit: mcbride.house.gov/services/art-competition
• 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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