Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo — my weekly dispatch to Delawareans. This week brought some hectic headlines, rising stakes, and a fun visit from a four-legged friend named Smooches. 

Here are five big things to know:

Earlier this week, President Trump was asked whether he was considering Americans’ financial situation as he negotiates an end to his war of choice in Iran. His answer? “Not even a little bit. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.”

Let that sink in.

At a time when families are already stretched thin by the cost of groceries, health care, housing, child care, and ever-rising gas prices, the President’s response is to say — plainly and proudly — that he is not thinking about their financial situation.

That disregard is unacceptable and it reflects the larger danger of this reckless and illegal war: a president making life-and-death decisions without constitutional authorization, without a clear strategy, and — perhaps worse of all — without regard for the daily lives of the people he is supposed to serve.

That is why Congress once again voted this week on a War Powers Resolution to rein in this administration’s unauthorized conflict in Iran. Unsurprisingly, because of Congressional Republicans, the legislation was struck down once more. 

My colleagues and I have been clear from the beginning: no president should be able to drag our country into war alone. Delawareans deserve accountability, transparency, and leadership that puts their safety and financial security first — not another conflict that costs lives and raises costs here at home.

I will keep pushing to end this illegal and reckless war, because, unlike the president, I am deeply concerned about the financial situation of my neighbors and for American families. 

This week, President Trump traveled to China, brought his billionaire buddies, and heaped praise on the Chinese President. 

Strategic diplomacy matters, and a stable relationship with China matters for our economy, our national security, and the world. But it cannot come at the expense of the urgent work of lowering costs and delivering stability for working families here at home.

At home, Americans are overwhelmed by rising costs, a cratering economy, spiking gas prices, higher food prices, and unbearable health care costs, many of them made worse by this administration’s own choices. Families are looking for solutions, and instead they are watching a president spend his time abroad flattering foreign leaders and catering to the powerful — all while failing to govern effectively for the American people.

And as we navigate our relationship with China, we also have to be clear-eyed about the threats facing democracies in the region. During the House Foreign Affairs Committee this week, I voted to support legislation that would strengthen and reaffirm the United States’ relationship with Taiwan – sending a clear message that while the Chinese government places pressure on Taiwan, it is entitled to democratically determine its own future.

Moreover, Taiwan has the right to defend itself from incursions that would undermine that self-determination. Supporting Taiwan’s security is critical for our own national security, for defending democracies worldwide, and standing with partners who share our commitment to freedom.

Buried beneath the headlines this week is a concerning new Trump administration proposal that would allow handguns to be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service for the first time since 1927. 

For nearly a century, the prohibition on mailing handguns has been a critical safeguard — one that has helped make our communities safer. Now, this administration wants to throw that safeguard out the window. 

Allowing handguns to be mailed through the Postal Service is undoubtedly and resolutely terrible policy. It would undermine state background check systems, make tracking firearms even more challenging, and weaken oversight of the firearm industry. 

But Trump’s proposal is more than just dangerous policy — it’s wildly out of touch with the current moment. Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and a startling rise in political violence is undermining the fabric of our democracy. Instead of searching for solutions, the Trump Administration is handing gifts to the gun lobby at your expense.  

I am strongly opposed to this harmful rollback of federal safety protections, and I’ll continue supporting commonsense safety measures that protect our state of neighbors. 

This week, I led a bipartisan group of my colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse harmful changes to the Section 502 Direct Loan Program — the only federal mortgage program specifically designed to help low-income families in rural communities buy, build, repair, or rehabilitate a home.

For rural communities across our state, including those in Sussex County, this program matters. It helps working families, seniors, and first-time homebuyers access safe, affordable housing in communities where homeownership can already feel out of reach. But these USDA changes would make that path harder and more expensive, adding new burdens to a program that should be opening doors — not closing them.

At a time when housing costs are already too high, the federal government should be expanding access to rural homeownership, not putting up more barriers. Because no one should be priced out of the community they call home.

Delawareans in rural communities deserve the same chance to build stability, raise a family, and invest in their future — and that is precisely what I am committed to defending and strengthening. 

This week was full of Delawareans in my D.C. office — from the four-legged to the standard issue two-legged — and each of them brought important reminders, action items, and context-shaping conversations. Here are a few of those meetings: 

Okay, there was only one four-legged Delawarean, and really he is an honorary neighbor since our state dog is a rescue dog! Smooches, a two-year-old rescue who is currently at the Brandywine Valley SPCA in D.C., spent the day with me in the office yesterday as a part of “Shelter Skip Day”! This field trip program from the Brandywine Valley SPCA is meant to raise awareness for the organization and give adoptable pets, like Smooches, the chance to take a fun field trip out and about. Smooches joined me for meetings with Delawareans and enjoyed a few scenic views during his day with us. 

I met with doctors from the American College of Physicians to talk about Medicare, vaccines, and the need to support the next generation of medical professionals. From Bayhealth to ChristianaCare, these physicians see every day what happens when patients face barriers to care — and their message was clear: Delawareans deserve a health care system that is stable, accessible, and rooted in trust.

I spoke with advocates from the National Down Syndrome Society, including Delaware families and leaders from the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. We talked about special education funding, research, and the importance of programs that help people with disabilities live with dignity and independence. This isn’t just about services — it’s about making sure every person has the support they need to thrive.

I had the chance to meet with Command Chief Master Sergeant Todd Dugar of the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing as he begins his new role. The 166th is a critical part of Delaware’s emergency response, homeland defense, and military readiness — and I’ll keep working to ensure the Guard has the modern equipment, infrastructure, and support they need to carry out their mission safely and effectively.

I met with Melinda Tingle of Laurel and Alexander Matthews of Seaford from Edward Jones to discuss retirement security, especially for family caregivers. Caregiving can force people — most often women — to step back from paid work, and too often that means sacrificing long-term financial stability. We can do better by making sure caregivers are not punished for doing some of the most important work there is.

I also spoke with Delaware business leaders from Royale Pigments and Brainerd Chemical about rail safety and the importance of resilient supply chains. These companies help keep goods moving across sectors, and their work in Seaford and Bear is a reminder that manufacturing and distribution are still very much part of Delaware’s economic future.

And I met with Chief Justice Collins Seitz to discuss judicial security, access to justice, and the importance of supporting state court systems. Courts are where people go during some of the hardest moments of their lives. A justice system that is safe, accessible, and fair is not a luxury. It is a pillar of democracy.

Thank you for reading along and for staying informed about the work I am doing for you in Congress. Whether it is meeting with my neighbors or working to make government deliver for Delawareans, I am honored to continue to do this work each week. Meanwhile, 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 this 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.
• Are you prepared? Our office will be partnering with state and local partners to provide an Emergency Preparedness Fair! If you do not have an emergency preparedness plan, this is a great opportunity to hear from community experts about how to stay vigilant. Learn more and RSVP 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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