Dear Friend, 

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

Before we dive in, a quick reminder: Early voting in Delaware is underway! With Election Day just around the corner, I hope you'll take a moment to make a plan to cast your ballot. You can find early voting locations and hours at Delaware's Department of Elections.

Now, here are five things from this week: 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exists to help communities prepare for disasters, respond when they strike, and recover in their aftermath. But this week, FEMA's administrator told state officials that they should prepare to handle most disasters on their own, without federal assistance. As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delawareans are especially aware of how dangerous that strategy would be. We're still recovering from last month's nor'easter, which damaged infrastructure and impacted our coastal communities. 

And Delaware is hardly alone. Across the country, communities are grappling with devastating floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. We should absolutely be investing in stronger state and local disaster preparedness. But instead of strengthening those efforts with dependable federal support, the Trump administration is preparing to walk away from its responsibilities and leave Americans to pick up the pieces on their own.

I'm not going to stand by and simply let that happen. Earlier this year, I worked with Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester to secure $10 million in federal funding to replenish Delaware's beaches. And just last month, the House passed the Water Resources Development Act, which included provisions I fought for that strengthen flood protection efforts along the Delaware River and around the Assawoman Canal. These are the kinds of federal investments and partnerships we should be building on, not abandoning.

Delawareans work hard, pay their taxes, and do their part. They deserve a federal government that does its part, too — especially when disaster strikes. FEMA exists precisely for that purpose and no community should have to face a catastrophe alone simply because the president is playing politics with the people’s money.

You may have noticed a flurry of bipartisan activity over the past several weeks on one topic in particular: Russia's illegal and unjust war in Ukraine. Republicans and Democrats have come together to support our Ukrainian allies and hold Putin accountable for his violent and illegal actions.

Last month, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, cutting off resources fueling Putin's war and increasing pressure on him to come to the negotiating table. President Trump signed that legislation into law.

But last week, the president did a complete 180, signing an executive order that effectively put those new sanctions on hold. The president's explanation? He wants more time to negotiate a peace agreement with Putin. But the very sanctions he put on hold were designed to give the United States greater leverage in those negotiations.

Putin is not a good-faith actor and cannot be left to negotiate on his own terms. If Trump doesn't wise up, reverse course, and hold Putin's feet to the fire, this war will rage on, Ukrainians will continue to suffer, and Putin will keep profiting from the chaos and bloodshed he is unleashing in the region.

Late last Friday, my office was notified that a suspicious letter, similar to those containing an unknown substance received by other congressional offices, was en route to my Wilmington office. Thanks to the proactive efforts of the Wilmington Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police, my staff is safe.

Law enforcement is actively investigating these incidents and working to identify those responsible. We will continue to monitor the situation and cooperate with the appropriate authorities as needed.

These scare tactics will not intimidate us or stop our work on behalf of Delawareans. My office remains open and ready to assist our neighbors. If you are in need of assistance, please call our office at 302-830-2330 or visit mcbride.house.gov. 

Our democracy depends on voter participation, but too many Americans face unnecessary barriers to making their voices heard. That's why I joined Congressman Johnny Olszewski of Maryland to introduce the ASSURE Act, legislation that would make it easier for eligible Americans to register to vote by connecting them with registration opportunities through federal services they already use. 

Whether it’s a veteran accessing benefits or a senior interacting with Social Security, there are plenty of opportunities for the government to meet eligible Americans wherever they are and help ensure they can register to vote. One piece of this legislation I’m particularly excited about restores opportunities for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration assistance at our nation’s naturalization ceremonies. These are precisely the kinds of opportunities our government should be embracing to make participating in our democracy as easy as possible. 

Instead, President Trump and his hand-picked Supreme Court have launched a coordinated attempt to dilute the power of minority voices and make it more difficult for Americans to vote. I’ll continue working with my Congressional colleagues to push back on these efforts because access to the ballot box is a basic promise of our democracy, not a privilege that depends on who occupies the White House. 

While I was home in Delaware this week, I checked something important off my to-do list: getting my annual flu shot!

As we head into the colder months, flu season is upon us, and getting vaccinated is one of the simplest ways we can protect ourselves and the people around us. The flu can be particularly dangerous for older Delawareans, young children, and folks with underlying health conditions. Getting your flu shot helps reduce your risk of serious illness while also helping protect the neighbors, friends, and family members who may be most vulnerable.

If you haven't gotten yours yet, I hope you'll consider making an appointment with your doctor or stopping by your local pharmacy. You can also find vaccination resources through the Delaware Division of Public Health. Being a state of neighbors means looking out for one another, and that often starts with taking care of yourself.

Rep. McBride gets her flu shot ahead of the upcoming flu season.

One word I keep coming back to this week is responsibility. Our government has a responsibility to show up and support our communities when they need it. And here in our state of neighbors, we take seriously our own responsibility to care for one another. I'll keep pushing to make sure the federal government holds up its end of the bargain, as you all continue building toward the bright future that Delawareans deserve.

Thank you for reading along and for giving me the opportunity to do this work.

Whatever you're 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

• NEW: Medicare Open Enrollment began on October 15! This is the time period where eligible Delawareans have the opportunity to sign up, switch, or drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) or Medicare Advantage Plan. It’s important to learn about the different plans available and to keep an eye out for scams seeking to fleece folks of their money and benefits. The enrollment period ends on December 7th. For more information, you can visit medicare.gov or contact the Medicare Assistance Bureau via the Delaware Department of Insurance at 302-674-7364 or insurance.delaware.gov. 
• Changes to SNAP: On October 1st, President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” went into effect, which may impact food assistance for our neighbors. October 1st also marked the beginning of the federal fiscal year. This means that if your previous SNAP case was closed for failure to comply with work reporting requirements, or if you were kicked off your benefits, you can now reapply through SNAP online at Delaware ASSIST or call 866-843-7212.
• NEW: The Delaware Department of Transportation is seeking participants for its Delaware Transportation Survey. It’s a chance for our neighbors to share their ideas and insight about the long-term transportation infrastructure needs across the state. More information can be found 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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