Dear Friend, 

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

This week brought a little bit of everything — major developments in Iran, an important win for workers, and the opportunity to spend time with some truly inspiring neighbors both in Delaware and in Washington. There’s plenty to catch up on, so let’s get right into five things you should know this week:

Earlier this week, President Trump was asked about rising inflation that’s impacting Americans. His response? “I love the inflation.”

For my neighbors in Delaware who are staring down higher grocery bills, rising housing costs, unaffordable childcare, and mounting healthcare expenses, that’s a hard statement to stomach. This comment isn’t just a flippant disregard for the current cost-of-living crisis, it’s a reminder of how quickly this administration abandoned both its promises and the American people.

President Trump repeatedly pledged to lower costs for Americans “on day one.” Instead, he is launching wars, cutting access to healthcare, and profiting off the presidency in unprecedented ways. The result? Prices are spiking and Americans are suffering.

I joined 535 News this week to discuss my work to make life more affordable for working people. I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize the Family and Medical Leave Act and to secure fair pay for folks working on federal holidays. I’m also working with my colleagues to guarantee paid family and medical leave for every worker in America. Because, unlike the president, I recognize that we can’t create an economy that works for all of us without investing in things people need — healthcare, childcare, paid leave, and a living wage. 

There are common sense, concrete steps we can and should be taking to deliver relief for the American people. I’ll remain focused on working with my colleagues to lower costs and put Delaware families first. You can hear more about my work on this front by listening to my full interview here. 

On Monday, an American Apache helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz and the Trump Administration responded with a limited round of strikes. Trump then declared that negotiations are “taking too long” and renewed his bombing campaign in full force. 

In the course of these strikes, Trump threatened to seize Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports. And then, just yesterday, the President claimed that a deal has been struck with the Iranian regime and called off further escalation. 

The contents of Trump’s alleged deal are not yet clear, but we’ve been here before. Trump launches strikes, escalates rhetoric, declares that a deal is imminent, and then circles back to more strikes. The President’s clear lack of strategy is fueling a dangerous cycle of violence that is costing American lives, endangering innocent civilians, undermining global energy infrastructure, and further destabilizing the entire region. 

And remember, all of this is taking place while the Strait of Hormuz is essentially closed. Which means Trump has literally fought his way into a weaker negotiating position than the one he started in. 

Delawareans deserve better. They deserve transparency, accountability, and a clear explanation of why American servicemembers are being put in harm's way. The President can announce as many “agreements” as he wants, but one thing remains true: he cannot bully his way into a nuclear deal with Iran. The only real off-ramp here is a disciplined commitment to strategic diplomacy, which is, of course, exactly what this President refuses to pursue. 

I will continue pushing for an end to this conflict and advocating for a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy and dignity. This isn’t just the morally right path for our country; it's the only way to secure a lasting peace that advances our interests and protects Americans. 

This week, I took to the House Floor to recognize just some of what makes me proud to call Delaware home.

First, I rose to commemorate Separation Day and the 250th anniversary of the liberation of Delaware from the corrupt and tyrannical yoke of Pennsylvania and the British Crown. Every year, Delawareans gather in New Castle to celebrate that history and reflect on a lesson that remains relevant today: democracy is not guaranteed. It requires each generation to defend our freedoms, strengthen our institutions, and reject tyranny in all its forms.

I also had the opportunity to recognize the volunteers of CHEER Community Center in Sussex County, including Volunteer of the Year Maggie Smith. Through their service, these volunteers provide meals, transportation, companionship, and other critical support to older Delawareans, making an immeasurable difference in the lives of their neighbors.

Delaware is filled with people who step up; we witness it every day. Whether it is advocates who shaped our history, volunteers who serve their communities, or neighbors who simply look out for one another, our state's greatest strength has always been its people.

I’m grateful for the countless Delawareans who continue to make our communities stronger through their service, civic engagement, and commitment to one another.

When workers vote to form a union, they should not have to wait more than a year to receive the benefits of collective bargaining. Yet, far too often, that is exactly what happens. 

You may remember that I previously signed a discharge petition to force a vote in the House on the Faster Labor Contracts Act, legislation I cosponsored that would speed up the process of negotiating contracts for new labor unions.

Well, I’m excited to report that this week the House passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act, bringing us one step closer to ensuring that workers who organize can actually secure the benefits they fought for. This legislation establishes clear timelines for negotiations, mediation, and arbitration so that employers cannot simply delay or obstruct the bargaining process.

When workers exercise their right to organize, they deserve a clear path to the bargaining table and a real opportunity to improve their working conditions. That is exactly what this legislation accomplishes, and I am proud to have supported its final passage in the House.   

I believe that when workers win, we all win. And this week we took an important step toward strengthening collective bargaining, protecting workers' rights, and building an economy that treats every worker with dignity and respect. I will continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with organized labor and working people across Delaware to ensure that every worker has a voice on the job and a fair shot at economic security.

My favorite part of this work is getting to connect with my neighbors. This week, I had the pleasure of meeting Delawareans from across the state who are leading with courage and serving their communities. Here are a few of my conversations with Delawareans over the last week: 

I joined the Delaware Building & Construction Trades Council's annual Apprenticeship Dinner, where apprentices, union leaders, contractors, and families came together to celebrate the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Apprenticeship programs provide a pathway to family-sustaining careers while helping meet Delaware's workforce needs, and it was inspiring to hear directly from workers who are building their futures through these opportunities.

I partnered with Senator Chris Coons and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester to host our annual Service Academy Reception to celebrate a remarkable group of young people who have accepted appointments to our nation's military academies. These students have already distinguished themselves through leadership, academic achievement, athletics, and service, but what stood out most to me was their willingness to dedicate themselves to something larger than themselves. The path these young Delawareans have chosen is defined by duty, discipline, and public service. Meeting them left me feeling hopeful about the future and deeply grateful for the families, educators, and mentors who helped them reach this moment. Their commitment is a reminder that some of our state's brightest young leaders are preparing not only for successful careers, but for lives spent serving others.

I met with the National Association of Social Workers, including Marla Blunt-Carter, to discuss ways to strengthen the social work profession and encourage more people to enter the field. We talked about supporting social workers, the patients and communities they serve, and the students preparing to follow in their footsteps. Social work is one of the most selfless and impactful career paths. It's essential that we do everything we can to ensure these professionals have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to continue making a difference in people's lives.

Representatives from the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA) joined me in Washington to discuss the urgent need to support nonprofits across our state. From health care and housing to education and the arts, nonprofits provide critical services and opportunities that strengthen our communities and help drive our economy. I'm grateful to DANA CEO Melissa Hopkins and her team for all they do to empower Delaware's nonprofit sector and the people it serves.

I also had the privilege of recognizing Joseph Zogheib of Concord High School, who recently earned a Congressional Award Gold Medal. To receive this honor, Joseph completed hundreds of hours of community service, personal development, and physical fitness activities, including a project renovating an outdoor space for a local nonprofit serving youth. The next generation is thoughtful, engaged, and committed to making a difference — and that gives me tremendous hope for our future. 

This week had no shortage of serious news, meaningful work, and reminders of what makes Delaware so special. From fighting for accountability abroad to celebrating workers, volunteers, students, and neighbors here at home, I’m grateful every day for the chance to do this work on your behalf.

Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope it’s a good one.

Talk soon, Delaware.

P.S. Happy early Separation Day to the first — and greatest — state in the Union.

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

• 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.  
• Join the Veterans Resource Fair! Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, and I will be partnering with the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs to host a Delaware Veterans Resource Fair. The resource fair will bring together more than 45 organizations offering information on healthcare, benefits, housing, employment, mental health services, and other important resources. Delaware veterans and their families are invited to attend the event, which will take place on June 22 at DelTech’s DelOne Conference Center in Dover. 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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