Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo, my dispatch to Delawareans from DC. 

Since I wrote to you last week, a lot has changed in our global politics. There is a lot to get into this week, both at home and abroad, but I tried to distill the most important information in this week’s five big things: 

1. One big thing: Over the last week, I, like many of you, have watched in heartbreak as six brave United States service members gave the ultimate sacrifice, lost far too soon in Donald Trump’s war of choice with Iran. 

Since the United States launched its initial strikes, the administration has misrepresented intelligence and offered inconsistent objectives for their actions, leading to reckless operations that lead to one place in the end: death, destruction, and destabilization. 

Delawareans, and Americans everywhere, do not want their sons and daughters shipped to another war in the Middle East with consequences that will be felt both in the region and here at home. Gas prices are already beginning to soar across the globe, and the impacts are only beginning to be seen. 

This president routinely shreds both the progress and potential of diplomacy, just as he did when he destroyed the previous Iran nuclear deal, and once again he has been far too willing to put the lives of American servicemembers at risk. Instead of engaging in diplomatic and multilateral solutions, Americans and our allies are paying with their lives for an illegal war that destabilizes the region and sidesteps Congress’s authority. 

Yesterday, my colleagues and I took to the House floor to send a clear message to this administration: the authority to declare war lies with Congress, not the president. While nearly all Congressional Republicans are willing to give the president a blank check for his careless operations, I voted to remind this administration that if we are going to enter a war, with any nation, the authority for such action rests not with the executive, but with Congress. Here is my take on the vote. 

2. Driving the news: Over the last few weeks, I have heard from many Delawareans about the SAVE Act, which House Republicans recently passed and President Trump is pressuring the Senate to pass. Despite how it’s being marketed, this bill doesn’t protect elections—it makes it harder for Americans to vote. 

By requiring documents that millions of Americans don’t have—like updated passports or birth certificates— and creating unnecessary hurdles that would disenfranchise seniors, military families, working people, and many women whose names changed after marriage. 

Let’s be clear: non-citizen voting is already illegal, punishable by law, and extremely rare. This bill isn’t about protecting elections, it’s about creating new barriers between American citizens and the ballot box. Voting is one of our most fundamental freedoms, and we should be making it easier for Americans to participate in our democracy—not harder.

To break down the misconceptions and understand the specifics of the SAVE Act, check out this video where I break it all down:

3. On the floor: This week, I went to the House Floor to speak about this moment in our country and the direction of our democracy. Throughout our country’s two and a half centuries, every 80 years or so, our country faces an inflection point as the last living memory of the previous one disappears. From the Revolution to the Civil War to World War II to today, we have faced a choice: do we destroy or do we build.

This is a moment of choosing. If we choose to learn from history and do the hard work of changemaking, I still believe we can build a more perfect union.

We find ourselves today at a critical inflection point for our nation and the world. In the face of chaos, cruelty, and unprecedented attempts to destroy our 250 year-old democracy, we must maintain the capacity to hope and to build something better.

As I said on the Floor, and as I am often reminded by this work and my neighbors, there is hope for the future of our country. At this critical moment, there is one enduring truth in our country: we can rely on people's better angels, but only if we choose to see them. 

I stand prepared to work with my colleagues, in times of strife and struggle, to defend the promise of this country and the people we serve. You can see my full speech here.

4. Legislative priority: Right now, as families feel squeezed by high prices at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and in their utility bills, the last thing they need is to pay extra just to file their taxes. But, there are actions we can take to help—because that is what government is supposed to do. 

That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan, bicameral Direct File Act—legislation that would restore and permanently authorize the IRS Direct File program.

The pilot program launched in 2024 allowed eligible taxpayers to file their taxes online directly with the IRS for free—saving families time and up to $160 a year by cutting out the middleman. But the Trump administration eliminated it.

Let’s be clear: filing your taxes shouldn’t require paying a private company when there is a free public option available, especially if the only compelling reason for eliminating the free option is to appease the president’s billionaire donors.

This bill is bicameral—with support across the House and Senate—and reflects a simple principle: when families are being pinched from every direction, government should make life and process easier—not more expensive.

Solutions that work should never be discarded for big profit, especially where taxes are concerned. For my neighbors, every dollar saved on tax prep is a dollar that can go toward rent, child care, or groceries. And in this economy, that matters.

5. Our state of neighbors: This week, my D.C. office was abuzz with Delawareans who were doing the simple work of advocating for themselves and their neighbors—and I was honored to get to hear from them. Because I had so many outstanding conversations with Delawareans, I wanted to share about each of them—so the descriptions may be short, but the conversations were robust. Here are a few of those meetings: 

I met with Secretary Karen Berry and Executive Director Tony Bourdeau of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss how we can better support Delaware veterans and their families.

I met with advocates from the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, including a Delaware family, to discuss protecting access to affordable health coverage and lifesaving treatments for people living with bleeding disorders.

I met with the Delaware River and Bay Authority to discuss investments in transportation infrastructure that support regional mobility, aviation, and economic development in Delaware.

I met with advocates from Delaware Libraries to discuss protecting access to books, information, and the critical community services our libraries provide.

I met with Delaware Farm Bureau Vice President Steve Breeding to discuss the challenges facing Delaware farmers and the importance of strengthening local agriculture and rural communities.

I met with Delaware credit unions to discuss the role credit unions play in helping Delaware families access affordable financial services and build economic security.

I met with leaders and youth advocates from the YMCA of Delaware to discuss strengthening youth development programs, expanding access to child care, and supporting the health of Delaware communities.

I met with members of the National Treasury Employees Union from Delaware to discuss protecting the rights, pay, and job security of federal workers at the IRS

I met with the Food Bank of Delaware to discuss the ongoing fight against hunger in our state and the importance of protecting funding for programs that help families put food on the table.

I met with the Delaware Bankers Association to discuss the role Delaware’s financial institutions play in supporting local businesses, expanding access to credit, and strengthening our state’s economy.

I met with advocates from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Delaware to discuss improving health care access and benefits for the men and women who served our country.

I met with leaders from Genentech to discuss innovation in biotechnology and policies that support medical research and help bring down the cost of life-saving medicine for Delawareans.

I met with historic preservation advocates to discuss protecting Delaware’s historic sites and strengthening the federal programs that help preserve them.

I met with representatives from SEMI, including stakeholders from the semiconductor industry, including Delaware’s Chemours and Qnity, to discuss strengthening the domestic semiconductor supply chain and supporting advanced manufacturing.

I also met with David Singleton from the Friends Committee on National Legislation to discuss nuclear disarmament and the importance of renewed diplomacy to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict and build a safer, more stable world.

I met with advocates from the Delaware PTA to discuss strengthening public education and ensuring schools have the resources students and educators need to succeed.

I toured Westside Family Healthcare to discuss the critical role community health centers play in expanding access to affordable primary and behavioral health care in Delaware.

I visited the Wilmington Recovery Café to learn more about the peer-led recovery services helping Delawareans build stability and community while navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

I visited Project New Start to discuss the importance of reentry programs that support people returning home from incarceration and help reduce recidivism in Delaware.

I joined the University of Delaware Chinese Students and Scholars Association to celebrate the Lunar New Year and recognize the contributions of Asian American students and scholars to our state.

I joined an Interfaith Iftar hosted by the Delaware Sikh Coalition to celebrate Ramadan and reaffirm Delaware’s commitment to religious freedom and interfaith understanding.

That’s all for this week. I always enjoy the chance to talk directly to you, and I hope that you are able to step away from the news and find time to unwind and enjoy your weekend. Until next week, Delaware. 

Talk soon!

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

• 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
  
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• 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
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