Dear Friend, 

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

This week was a busy one with a lot of meaningful moments, both in Delaware and in Washington. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get right into five things you should know this week: 

This week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee convened a hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss America’s role in the world. At a moment of growing global instability, I was eager to explore one fundamental question: can America's allies still trust that we will abide by the commitments we've made?

I pressed Rubio on several fronts; I asked about President Trump's repeated attacks on NATO, his claims that the United States has "never got anything" from the alliance, and his threats to seize Greenland from Denmark, one of our NATO allies. 

I asked him directly for a clear affirmation of one of NATO’s central pillars: that if an ally is attacked and Article 5 is invoked, the United States will defend our partners.

He couldn’t answer.

For generations, NATO has helped keep Americans safe — not by fighting wars, but by preventing them. Adversaries are less likely to test the alliance when they believe its members will stand together. When America's commitment to NATO becomes uncertain, deterrence weakens, instability grows, and the risk of conflict increases.

The only time in history that the promise of Article 5 has been invoked was following 9/11, when more than a thousand Europeans lost their lives defending the United States. Disregarding that sacrifice is a complete betrayal of an alliance that saved American lives. 

Here in Delaware, we understand that relationships matter. When politicians undermine our alliances, my neighbors pay the price — our servicemembers are put at risk, their families face increased uncertainty, and we are left with the dangers of an increasingly divided world. 

This is a reality I refuse to accept, so I will keep pushing this administration to honor our commitments and defend our alliances. You can watch my full remarks here:  

As we approach 100 days of the disastrous war in Iran, consequences are becoming more dangerous by the day and are already landing here at home. Reports now show Gulf states are being pulled deeper into the conflict, while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed off and global oil inventories are being drained to dangerous lows. And as reserves and inventories diminish, energy experts warn that we could see further price spikes in the coming weeks.

That means higher gas prices, higher grocery costs, higher utility bills, and more pressure on families already stretched thin. As Delawareans are headed into a busy summer break and travel season, they shouldn’t have to foot the bill for an unauthorized conflict that lacks strategy and any clear endgame. 

Meanwhile, in the House, Congressional Democrats were finally successful in passing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to reassert our constitutional authority, hold this President accountable, and end this reckless conflict. Now it’s up to the Senate to pass the resolution — because every day that this war continues, the risk grows for our troops, for the region, and further hurts wallets here at home. 

This week, I took to the House Floor to speak about some of my incredible neighbors. I first recognized the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, which recently earned a prestigious four-start accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And then I highlighted Delaware’s graduates, who are taking their first steps into whatever comes next. 

While these milestones may seem unrelated, they share something important: they are reminders that progress doesn't happen on its own. It’s built by people willing to invest in their communities, expand opportunity for others, and help build a better future.

Whether it's graduates heading off to college or organizations creating economic opportunities, I’m reminded that Delaware's greatest strength has always been its builders. The people who see potential where others see limitations. The people who understand that the future is not something we inherit, but something we create.

At a time when so much of our politics is focused on what is broken, these stories offer a different perspective. They remind us that every generation has the power to move our communities, our state, and our country forward.

As I said on the House Floor, I remain optimistic about what comes next because I believe in the people of Delaware and our capacity to build something better, together. 

As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware knows that protecting our communities from flooding is a priority, especially as we enter storm season. Families across our state, especially in Sussex County, are already feeling the impact of rising seas, stronger storms, extreme high tides, and recurrent flooding. They are witnessing the toll this takes on their homes, roads, and farms. 

It’s why Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, and I are demanding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restore the Back Bay Study — a congressionally authorized effort to help Delaware better understand and address coastal storm risks along our Inland Bays and Delaware Bay Coast.

Our neighbors are counting on government to show up with seriousness, partnership, and solutions. Walking away from this study now, when the risks are here and growing, would leave Delaware’s communities without the tools they need to strengthen coastal resilience, protect infrastructure, and plan for the future.

We cannot wait for the next storm to act. I’ll keep pushing to restore this effort—because Delawareans deserve a government that meets this moment, keeps its promises, and protects the places we call home. 

My favorite part about this work is getting to connect with my neighbors, and this week was full of opportunities to hear directly from a few and to have some really powerful experiences. Here are a few of the conversations with Delawareans over the last week: 

During the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Delaware Memorial Bridge in New Castle, I joined veterans, Gold Star Families, military leaders, and neighbors to honor the Americans who gave their lives in service to our country. Standing by the bridge, I was reminded that remembrance is a connection — to our past, to one another, and to the promise we make to those who gave their last full measure of devotion. That promise cannot live on just one Monday in May. It has to show up in how we care for those who came home, how we support the families who carry the weight of loss, and how seriously we treat every decision that asks our servicemembers to sacrifice.

I also had the joy of joining the Delaware Africa Chamber of Commerce for its Africa Day Proclamation Program at the Bear Library. Thank you to Mrs. Sonia Freeman and everyone who helped bring this celebration together. Africa Day is a celebration of unity, independence, culture, and shared progress — and Delaware’s African diaspora communities make our state stronger through small business, civic leadership, cultural life, and community-building. Delaware is at its best when every community is seen, valued, and included in our shared future.

I sat down with the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence and members of their survivor taskforce to talk about the urgent need to protect funding for domestic violence prevention and survivor services. Their message was clear: safety requires resources, trust, and a government willing to stand with survivors. Programming funded through the Violence Against Women Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act are lifelines. I’ll keep working to ensure survivors in Delaware can access the support, housing, legal help, and culturally competent services they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.

I also met with representatives from Nemours, along with a pediatric cancer survivor and her family, to talk about the importance of clinical research for children. Pediatric diseases are often rare, complex, and dangerously under-researched, which means families can face terrifying diagnoses without enough answers or treatment options. Their stories were a powerful reminder that investing in pediatric research is investing in futures, in families, and in the basic promise that every child deserves a fighting chance.

This week was full of really impactful conversations and a lot of important work — work I am endlessly proud I get to do for my neighbors in Congress. 

Also, I am wishing a joyous Pride to all who are celebrating this June. Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope it’s a good one. 

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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