Dear Friend, 

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

From defending Medicare and Medicaid to celebrating our state’s agricultural community, there is plenty to cover this week — so, let’s get right to it. 

Here are five things you should know:  

Growing older, living with a disability, welcoming a child, or getting sick should never strip someone of their dignity or financial security. Sixty-one years ago this week, President Johnson turned that principle into law by signing legislation that established Medicare and Medicaid. For the last six decades, these programs have helped millions of Americans see a doctor, welcome babies safely, live independently, recover from illness, and age with dignity. 

Unfortunately, over the last year, congressional Republicans have padded the pockets of America’s billionaires by stealing from these critical programs that Americans rely on. They’ve slashed nearly $1 trillion in funding for Medicaid and passed legislation that will leave millions without access to healthcare. The effects of this cruelty will be felt especially hard here in the First State, where nearly one in four people rely on Medicaid and an estimated 40,000 stand to lose health coverage. 

But let’s be clear: Cuts to Medicare or Medicaid negatively impact our entire state of neighbors. When funding is pulled and coverage is cut, patients delay care, emergency rooms become more crowded, and hospitals and nursing homes are forced to do more with dramatically less. That is a failure of morality and policy. 

This anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting programs that help folks in every community lead happy, healthy lives. I have voted against every Republican effort to rip healthcare from Delawareans and the American people, and I will keep working to ensure no Delawarean goes without care in the wealthiest nation on earth.

The war in Iran is once again spiraling out of control. Iran fired missiles this week at American forces in Jordan, while the United States and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iran is also threatening retaliation against Ukraine, after a Ukrainian strike on a ship in the Caspian Sea that may have been used to move military supplies between Iran and Russia.

In short: this reckless war is leading to broader regional chaos that further entangles the United States and our allies on various fronts. 

This administration's approach is not only destabilizing communities across the globe, it is devastating families here at home who are mourning the loss of loved ones and struggling to afford basic necessities. 

Instead of being honest with the American people about the human price we are paying for this pointless war, the Department of Defense appears to be muddying the waters and running cover for the President.  

It’s bad enough that President Trump launched an unnecessary war without congressional authorization. It’s a fundamental betrayal of public trust for him to continue that war while denying the American people a full, honest, and transparent accounting of the tax dollars he is wasting and the American lives he is senselessly sacrificing.  

I recently had the opportunity to question President Trump’s director of science and technology policy, Michael Kratsios, in a hearing held by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I used my time to elevate the concerns many of my neighbors have raised about data centers. 

I asked Director Kratsios about the growing impact these facilities have on energy prices, our environment, and the health and wellness of our local communities, and questioned whether the administration has any real plan to hold technology companies accountable for the strain they place on our energy grid. Families in Delaware are already paying more for gas, groceries, housing, and utilities. They should not also be forced to subsidize the energy consumption of some of the world’s largest technology companies. 

I was proud to secure money to advance the study of innovative liquid-cooling technology being developed right here in Delaware — technology that could make data centers smaller, cleaner, and far more efficient. Delaware has the talent and ingenuity to help America lead in the industries of tomorrow, and innovation should lower costs, create good jobs, and strengthen our communities — not leave working families out to dry. 

I’ll keep working to hold powerful companies accountable, increase transparency, protect our shared resources, and ensure the technologies shaping our future deliver real benefits for everyone, not just those with the most resources. You can watch my full remarks here.

By now, many of you have probably heard about the growing Cyclospora outbreak. Since May, the microscopic parasite has sickened more than 6,000 people across 45 states and sent more than 400 to the hospital. I recently joined several of my congressional colleagues in urging the Trump administration to be more transparent about the spread of this parasite and take additional steps to protect public health. 

At every turn, President Trump has undermined the very systems designed to catch outbreaks early and contain them quickly. His administration significantly reduced the staff at CDC and FDA, the agencies responsible for tracking Cyclospora. Public-health experts warn that these staffing cuts — coupled with weakened coordination across our public-health system — have made it harder to connect cases, identify contaminated food, and give families timely answers. 

Food safety should never be a guessing game. Delawareans deserve clear facts, sound science, and confidence that their government is doing everything possible to keep them safe. As I continue working to repair the damage done by these cuts, hold this administration accountable, and restore the critical public-health tools our neighbors rely on — make sure you are informed and staying safe and protected. 

Here’s just a glimpse of what I was up to this week in our State of Neighbors:

I attended the Delaware Future Farmers of America Annual Fair Awards Breakfast, where I got to meet with hundreds of educators, students, and agricultural leaders. Delaware FFA serves more than 5,000 middle and high school students by helping them develop the skills to succeed in farming, agribusiness, biotechnology, veterinary science, environmental conservation, and so much more. It was an honor to celebrate Delaware FFA and hear about their plans for the future. Thanks, in no small part, to the leadership, curiosity, and commitment of these impressive young people, I remain excited about what comes next for Delaware.

I had the pleasure of visiting the amazing Delaware State Fair! It was such a joy to walk the fairgrounds, see the exhibits and animals, enjoy some great food, and spend time with Delawareans from every corner of our state. The Fair celebrates agriculture, small businesses, families, and traditions that make the First State so special — and it was lovely to enjoy it with so many neighbors.

I joined the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation and local leaders in Middletown to celebrate Delaware’s first floating-solar project. The new installation includes 5,000 solar panels floating on a wastewater-treatment pond. By bringing together public and private partners, we are finding practical ways to strengthen our energy independence, preserve our land, and build a cleaner future while placing an emphasis on reliability and affordability. Delaware is a small state, but we are consistently tackling problems with big and bold solutions.

Rep. McBride, Senator Blunt Rochester, and local leaders cut the ribbon at the DEMEC Floating Solar Site in Middletown.

Looking back on this week, I’m reminded that the First State is perfectly positioned to lead our nation through this moment in our history. Delaware knows how to honor where we’ve been, while building what comes next. 

Thank you for reading along and allowing me to do this work.

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

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

• Ready, Set, Retire!: Preparing for retirement can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate this transition alone. On Thursday, August 20, my office will be hosting a financial literacy event for Delawareans age 55 and older at the Georgetown CHEER Community Center. Attendees can hear from state and local experts on Medicare, Medicaid, elder law, consumer protection, long-term care, and more. The event runs from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. RSVP is encouraged but not required. 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 15 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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