Dear Friend, 

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

Tomorrow is Juneteenth – the day we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. I hope you’ll join me in marking this critical moment, where we righted this most egregious stain on our nation’s history and committed to a future where freedom and justice for all isn’t just a slogan, but a promise kept in every corner of our country.

Here are five big things you need to know ahead of the holiday weekend: 

Few places ask more of their employees than a hospital. Every day, doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff show up to care for people experiencing the most difficult moments of their lives.

So, on Tuesday afternoon when a gunman opened fire at Wilmington Hospital, killing one person and leaving another in critical condition, the Wilmington community was shaken. 

My heart breaks for the victim and their family, the injured survivor, and the entire ChristianaCare community. I am also incredibly grateful for the law enforcement officers and first responders who rushed to the scene, as well as the caregivers who continued supporting patients in the hours after the shooting despite the trauma unfolding around them.

Delaware has always been defined by neighbors looking out for one another. We saw that spirit this week in the first responders who rushed toward danger, in the caregivers who continued caring for patients, and in a community that has rallied around those affected by this tragedy. That spirit is stronger than violence, including gun violence, and it demands that we never become numb to the senseless loss of life. We owe it to the victims, their loved ones, and every healthcare worker who walks through those hospital doors to keep working toward a safer future.

This week, President Trump announced an agreement, called a Memorandum of Understanding (or “MOU”) with Iran that would end hostilities, open the Strait of Hormuz, and begin a new round of negotiations over the country's nuclear program.

But, this is not a final peace deal. It settles none of the nuclear questions Trump has claimed to care about and it’s merely an agreement to start negotiating an agreement. So, after months of military escalation, we’ve arrived back at the negotiating table; thirteen American servicemembers' lives lost and our position weakened.

Trump is learning in real time that he can’t bully his way to a nuclear deal. I’m grateful for the pause in hostilities, but I’m also mindful of the price we paid to get here – from loss of life to higher gas prices to instability in the region.  

Delawareans know that strength isn’t measured by size or might — it’s measured by how you show up and what you deliver. I sincerely hope this agreement succeeds. My neighbors, our servicemembers, and our allies throughout the world deserve an end to this conflict and a durable peace, and I will keep pushing for foreign policy that advances our interests without sacrificing our values. 

Recently, I spoke at both a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting and a Science, Space, and Technology hearing to highlight two important issues that impact my neighbors: scam syndicates that are stealing from Delawareans and energy policy that places profits ahead of the American people. 

At a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I spoke about how scam texts, calls, and emails have become a daily reality for many families, costing Americans billions of dollars each year. These scams are often run by criminal networks in foreign countries, and I’m working on ways to stop these scams before they start. You can see my remarks here. 

I also questioned U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright during a Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing. Specifically, I pressed the Secretary on the administration’s relentless attacks on renewable energy. While other countries, especially China, are investing in an all-of-the-above energy approach, the Trump Administration seems committed to picking winners and losers — lining the pockets of fossil fuel executives while refusing to invest in renewables like wind. In doing so, this administration is surrendering our competitive advantage and allowing our rivals to dominate the industries of the future. You can see our full exchange here. 

Whether it’s protecting consumers from international scam syndicates or ensuring America remains a global leader in energy innovation, the underlying principle is the same: government should solve problems, protect people, and prepare for the future. I will continue advocating for policies that achieve these objectives and strengthen our state of neighbors.

This week, I spent time in Sussex County touring sites that I secured federal investments for, alongside Senators Coons and Blunt Rochester, through the Community Project Funding process, which allows members of Congress to submit 15 projects for funding for critical community initiatives — from local infrastructure upgrades to investments in research & development. 

First, I visited Laurel in western Sussex County, where $250,000 in federal funding will help supply a new sewer lift station for an upcoming affordable housing project. Housing affordability remains one of the biggest challenges facing Delaware families, and this investment will help remove a key infrastructure barrier that has prevented housing development at the Laurel Glen project site. Read more from 47ABC on my visit here.

I also visited the University of Delaware's R/V Hugh R. Sharp in Lewes, where more than $1 million in federal funding will support critical upgrades to Delaware's flagship oceanographic research vessel. As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware depends on strong marine research to help us respond to challenges like sea level rise, coastal erosion, and changing ocean conditions. The R/V Hugh R. Sharp is a big part of our research toolkit and is helping train a new generation of researchers to do this vital work. They even let me blow the boat horn! Read more here!

These were really impactful visits that offer powerful insights into the power of federal investment in Delaware. Whether it's helping strengthen local infrastructure to make affordable housing more accessible or supporting the research that protects our coastline, these projects are prime examples that federal dollars can help solve local problems. 

Rep. McBride poses with scientists and crew aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp. 

My favorite part about this work is getting to connect with my neighbors. This week, I had the opportunity to hear from local leaders, healthcare providers, emergency preparedness experts, and community members who are working every day to make Delaware stronger.

Here are a few of my conversations with Delawareans over the last week. 

While in Laurel, I brought together mayors and municipal leaders from western Sussex County to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing their communities. We talked about everything from housing affordability and workforce recruitment to infrastructure needs and economic development. Local leaders are often the first to see both the challenges and opportunities present within their communities, which is why these conversations are so valuable. I'm grateful to the mayors, council members, and town managers who took the time to share their perspectives and help identify ways federal, state, and local partners can work together to strengthen Sussex County.

I visited SUN Behavioral Delaware in Georgetown and met with the organization's new leadership team, and residents of their newly opened outpatient clinic, to discuss behavioral healthcare access in Sussex County. We talked about the challenges many Delawareans face when seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment, as well as the workforce and capacity needs that providers are navigating across our state. SUN Behavioral is working to ensure that people can access timely, high-quality care, and I appreciated the opportunity to check in with them as they strive to expand access to care for Delawareans.

My office hosted its first ever Emergency Preparedness Resources Fair in Georgetown alongside more than 30 federal, state, and local agencies and community organizations. I had the opportunity to speak with Delawareans who are thinking seriously about how to prepare their families, businesses, and communities for emergencies ranging from hurricanes and flooding to extreme weather and power outages. I had the chance to talk to each organization that was present at the event that is working to build resilient, prepared communities. I’m grateful to all of the organizations that came together to provide practical information and resources to help Delawareans stay safe and informed. 

I also visited Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown to learn more about the airport's role in Sussex County's economy and its plans for future growth. While many people think of airports primarily as transportation hubs, Delaware Coastal Airport also supports workforce development, aviation education, aircraft maintenance, and emerging aerospace opportunities in southern Delaware. It was great to hear from airport leadership about ongoing infrastructure improvements and the partnerships helping position Sussex County for continued economic growth. 

If you’re a regular reader of the McBride Memo, you’ll remember that my office recently hosted Smooches — a rescue dog that was housed at the D.C. branch of the Brandywine Valley SPCA — as part of their initiative, Shelter Skip Day. This week, I got the exciting news that Smooches has been adopted!

Moments like this are a bright spot in difficult weeks and a reminder that Delawareans show up for one another in ways big and small. From healthcare workers caring for patients during an unimaginable tragedy to local leaders strengthening their communities, I am reminded again and again that Delaware’s greatest strength is its people.

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

• 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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