Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo — my weekly dispatch to Delawareans. It was another busy week, but it was also a meaningful opportunity to recognize some of the people who keep our communities strong. During Teacher Appreciation Week, National Nurses Week, and Small Business Week, we celebrated educators, health care workers, and local business owners who help shape daily life across our state of neighbors. They prepare the next generation to lead, care for our neighbors in moments big and small, and power the local economy that keeps our communities moving forward. I am proud to represent them in Congress and grateful for everything they do for our state of neighbors every single day.

Here are five big things to know:

Unfortunately, the war in Iran continues to unfold despite claims by the president and this administration to the contrary. 

This week, the president claimed that the United States would begin “guiding” ships through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safe passage of these ships. Quickly, we saw Trump reverse course, however, after this tactic proved too difficult and dangerous to continue. 

This is just the latest in a series of walkbacks and false starts that have failed to bring an end to this war and demonstrates the recklessness of entering this conflict in the first place. And now, tensions in the region have heated up yet again, with the US and the UAE exchanging fire with Iran. These strikes undermine the current fragile ceasefire in place, and Trump is doubling down on his threats, stating earlier this week that he would bomb Iran at a “much higher level and intensity than before” if the country does not agree to a peace deal. Foreign policy cannot be built on threats alone. Lasting peace requires strategy, diplomacy, and clear objectives — not continued escalation without accountability.

Meanwhile, back at home, my neighbors are working overtime just to be able to afford basic necessities. At the time I am writing this, gas is over $4.30 per gallon, a gallon of milk costs more than $4, and energy costs are through the roof. Put simply: instead of focusing on delivering solutions that make life more affordable for my neighbors, this administration is far more focused on fighting an illegal war and posting memes online.

That is a moral failing on the part of this administration and reflects a dangerous misalignment of priorities that is falling squarely on the shoulders of working families across our state and country.

I will continue to keep you updated about the carelessness of this administration’s “leadership” and about the ongoing conflict for as long as it drags on, because the least you deserve is clarity and honesty about the actions of your government. 

While I am grateful that no one was seriously injured at the White House Correspondents Dinner, I have been deeply concerned by this administration’s response in the aftermath.

Almost immediately after the incident, Congressional Republicans began pushing to accelerate construction of President Trump’s proposed White House ballroom. Now, they have introduced a budget bill that would direct $1 billion in taxpayer dollars toward the project — despite months of promises that it would be privately funded.

The same bill would also hand another $70 billion to ICE and CBP with no guardrails, oversight, or accountability, adding to the massive funding increase those agencies already received through the Big Ugly Bill – all in pursuit of Trump’s masked immigration regime.

At a time when gun violence remains the leading cause of death for children in the United States, Republicans in Congress should not be using a potential tragedy to justify spending taxpayer dollars on a gilded ballroom for the White House in the name of safety. Every person in this country deserves to feel safe in public spaces — not just the wealthy and well-connected.

I will continue speaking out against these deeply misguided priorities.

Recently, I had the honor of recognizing the upcoming 120th anniversary of Congregation Beth Emeth, a cornerstone of Jewish life in Wilmington and beyond. For generations, Beth Emeth has built a congregation and a community rooted in compassion, justice, and dialogue.

A legacy of rabbis has guided Beth Emeth for decades with clarity and a deep commitment to the dignity of every member of its community — leaving a lasting impact far beyond its synagogue walls. Over the years, Beth Emeth has helped shape a broader moral tradition that treats faith as a bridge, bringing people together in pursuit of justice, belonging, and service to others.

It is organizations like Beth Emeth that remind me that Delaware has always been shaped by people and institutions willing to commit to courageous and moral leadership that widen belonging and are centered on dignity. During Jewish American Heritage Month, I am always inspired by the stories of resilience that shape the lives of our Jewish neighbors, especially in Delaware. 

I was proud to celebrate Congregation Beth Emeth’s anniversary, and I am always proud of the work my neighbors are doing to push back against injustice and uplift our communities. You can see my full speech here. 

This week brought shocking news to travelers and airline workers alike: Spirit Airlines announced that it went out of business, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and workers unemployed.

Air travel has already faced a mountain of challenges thanks to this administration – from government shutdowns to the firing of Air Traffic Controllers to rising fuel costs. And while the administration is eager to point fingers elsewhere, Americans understand the reality: Spirit's shutdown is yet another example of how we’re all paying for Trump’s reckless war with Iran. 

With the Strait of Hormuz closed and fuel prices soaring, businesses and consumers are feeling the squeeze. And, with Spirit’s exit from the market, Delawareans and Americans across the country are set to face even higher prices when trying to purchase flights. It’s critical that we have leadership focused on economic stability, consumer protection, and policies that lower costs not create more instability. 

The Flight Refund Fairness Act — a bipartisan bill I recently cosponsored — would help protect small travel agencies from unfair financial burdens by ensuring airlines provide timely refunds to these agencies when flights are canceled or significantly delayed, so travelers get the money they are owed.

Spirit Airlines’ closure was less than ideal, especially for so many people who depended on its services. It’s a reminder that reckless wars abroad and economic instability at home do not stay confined to Washington, they ripple through industries, workplaces, and kitchen tables across the country.

You all know by now that nothing fills my cup like time well spent with our neighbors. Here’s some of the folks I’ve been able to see recently:

• I partnered with the United States Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) to host a conversation about how Delaware benefits when America leads through diplomacy, partnership, and global engagement. We were joined by Delaware leaders from across the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors to discuss how our shared values can help advance global health, human rights, democratic institutions, and strong international alliances — all while protecting our national security. A small but mighty state, Delaware understands the importance of strong relationships and global cooperation. The partnerships we build at home and abroad help drive innovation, strengthen our economy, and reinforce the values that connect us to the broader world.
• I also toured Pine Box Studios, a Wilmington-based production studio that offers space and resources for film, television, and online media production. As a lifelong film lover, it was great to visit a creative enterprise that is supporting artists right here in Delaware. The arts are one of the central cornerstones of our culture and communities, and I will continue supporting investments in Delaware’s creative economy.
• I was excited to join the Kalmar Nyckel Opening Day Ceremony to celebrate the ship’s inaugural voyage of 2026. As the official tall ship of Delaware, the Kalmar Nyckel offers a powerful connection to the earliest chapters of our state’s history. As we look ahead to the 250th anniversary of our nation, the ship stands as a reminder that long before we were the First State, Delaware was shaped by exploration, exchange, and discovery. I’m grateful to the dedicated stewards of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation who continue to preserve that history and share it with future generations.

Thank you for reading this far and for staying engaged in our work. I hope you have a restful weekend!

Talk soon, Delaware.

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

• Upcoming Mobile Office Hours: Our constituent advocacy team is hosting the next Mobile Office Hours event in Middletown on Tuesday, May 19 from 4 to 6pm at the Appoquinimink Library. Representatives from our office will be available to help neighbors with a variety of issues, you can learn more and RSVP here. 
• Service Academy Nominations: Our office is 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.
• 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 winner will also be invited to the national #HouseOfCode celebration in D.C! Learn more and get started 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: https://mcbride.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency

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