Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo — my weekly dispatch to Delawareans. 

Before we get into what I’ve been up to, I wanted to take a minute and highlight a major win in the House earlier this week. For the first time in decades, Congress passed a bill that is aimed at addressing the lack of affordable housing and actually address the cost-of-living crisis facing Americans everywhere. The bill still has some steps before it becomes law, but it is a step in the right direction and one that is sorely needed at this moment. I am hopeful we can keep this momentum going to expand affordable housing opportunities for our neighbors and folks nationwide. 

And with that, here are five big things to know:

As you head into your weekend, we should all take a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. This Monday represents more than just a day on the calendar, a day to relax, or a day to shop for deals — it is a solemn occasion to honor the lives of those who gave their last full measure of devotion in service to our country.

My view of Memorial Day is simple and follows from the famous charge of President Lincoln: “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”

Long ago, our nation made a commitment to those who serve that they and their families would be cared for and supported. If we truly respect their service, we must continue striving to uphold that obligation. That means ensuring reliable and accessible health care, strong support services, and meaningful care for the families who have lost loved ones in service to our country.

This Memorial Day, I hope you find time to remember and honor the heroes who secured for us the blessings of liberty — blessings won through extraordinary sacrifice and courage.

This week, we learned the full scope of what might be the most brazen act of self-dealing in the history of the American presidency. 

President Trump sued the IRS, a government agency he controls, over the leak of his tax returns. Then, his Department of Justice cut a deal on his behalf — one that gives him and his family sweeping immunity from IRS investigations and creates a $1.7 billion slush fund for payments to his political allies, including Jan. 6th defendants. 

Let’s be clear about what happened here: Trump negotiated with himself to steal nearly 2 billion of your tax dollars. Historians are calling the settlement unprecedented. Legal experts are calling the settlement unconstitutional. I’m calling the settlement corruption, plain and simple. 

Trump is pocketing payments from foreign governments, eyeing to bill taxpayers for his ballroom, and trading stocks in companies he’s actively regulating. All while spiking prices and gutting the services that Delawareans rely on. 

For years, Trump argued that the system is rigged — it’s now abundantly clear his ambition was to become the person that’s rigging it. As long as I’m Delaware’s representative, I’ll stand against this corruption and push for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.

I had the pleasure of joining paid leave champions from around the country to reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring paid leave becomes the law of the land in every single state. 

Every family will, at some moment, face critically urgent and timely circumstances. Whether it is welcoming a new child, navigating a serious illness, or caring for an aging parent — these moments are deeply personal, formative, emotional, and taxing. However, too often this country leaves families with one question: can I afford to take the time I need? 

I, too, know how personal this can be. When I was caring for my husband, Andy, we were terrified. But we also knew how lucky we were to have the health insurance and flexible leave that we needed to navigate his diagnosis together. And while Andy ultimately lost his life to that cancer, up until his last breath he knew how lucky he was. 

I have always made clear that the ability to take that time should not be a matter of luck, it should be the law of the land. 

This belief is precisely what guided my drafting of the paid leave policy that is now the law in Delaware, and what guides my work in Congress. Bottom line: no serious affordability agenda happens without investing in our care infrastructure. 

Because we cannot build a 2026 economy on a 1950s care infrastructure. Paid leave is pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-growth — and I’ll keep working to make it real for every family, in every corner of this country. You can watch my remarks here.

Rep. McBride speaks at the Paid Leave National Convening. 

Somewhere in Delaware this Memorial Day weekend, a nurse will navigate a hectic night shift. A bartender will work a full house. And a grocer will stock shelves before the store opens. These folks, and millions more across the country who work on federal holidays, keep our country running. 

As we gather on Monday to honor our servicemembers and spend time with family, I’ll also be thinking about the millions of Americans working through the holiday. 

Currently, there is no federal law requiring employees to receive higher pay for working on a federal holiday. That means for many workers, these federal holidays and a regular Tuesday look identical on a paycheck. That’s a problem. Working on a holiday can mean missing the moments that matter most — and that fact is not reflected in federal law. 

A new bill I introduced this week with my friend and former labor organizer Rep. Greg Casar from Texas would change that. It’s called the Holiday Pay Act, and it would require employers to pay time and a half to folks who work on federal holidays. This guarantee would ensure Americans are fairly compensated for working on days designed for reflection and connection.

Fair pay for working on a holiday is a matter of dignity, and I’m resolved to ensure that our neighbors have the support, security, and opportunity they need to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Learn more here.

Delawareans are always filling my cup and reminding me why this work is so important. Here are some highlights from my week where I got to see some of my neighbors!

• At the Mid-Atlantic Pediatric Association’s “Back to the Beach” conference in Rehoboth, I joined pediatric providers, researchers, and advocates for a conversation about the health of Delaware’s children. We spoke about the challenges facing young people and the importance of ensuring that every child has access to quality care, strong community support, and opportunities to thrive. At a time when too many families are facing uncertainty, I left inspired by the people across our state who continue to dedicate their lives to caring for children and supporting families in moments big and small.
• I also attended a performance of Dear Evan Hansen (theatre kid alert!) at Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach. The production offered a moving reflection on loneliness, mental health, and the importance of connection and compassion. Community arts organizations like Clear Space create opportunities not just for storytelling, but for understanding — and they remind us of the power the arts possess to bring people together and help our neighbors feel seen.
• Senator Chris Coons, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, and I hosted our annual Congressional Delegation Youth Conference in Dover, where I met students from high schools across Delaware for conversations about public service, civic engagement, and the future of their communities. From protecting farmland and strengthening public education to addressing substance use disorder and supporting immigrant families, these students asked thoughtful and deeply informed questions about the future of our state and country. Their curiosity, empathy, and commitment to the First State made one thing clear: Delaware’s next generation of leaders is already stepping up in meaningful ways.

Weeks like this always leave me hopeful about Delaware and grateful to call this a state of neighbors — and that there are people who are still working to make our country better. 

Talk soon, Delaware.

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

• 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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