Legislative Successes
I believe all Delawareans – regardless of their zip code – should have access to affordable housing, health care, and higher education, as well as safe neighborhoods, good jobs, clean drinking water, a high-quality public education system, and equal rights under the law.
Below are some of the ways I've been working to make these things a reality here in the First State:
Below are some of the ways I've been working to make these things a reality here in the First State:
Supporting Our Families
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how desperately Delaware’s families need common-sense policies that work for them.
Protecting the Rights of All Delawareans
I have long been consistent about my belief that all Delawareans deserve fair and equal treatment under the law.
Improving Public Safety
Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare
Over the last two years, I have helped lead the way on a sustained, multi-layered effort that will address the need for affordable healthcare options in Delaware.
Preserving Our Environment and Open Space
I have long been a champion of Delaware’s natural environment and open spaces, having personally secured millions of dollars for farmland preservation and the protection of our forests, beaches, and world-class park system. Under my leadership:
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how desperately Delaware’s families need common-sense policies that work for them.
- No family should ever have to make the impossible choice between earning a paycheck and quitting their job to stay home with a new child or care for a family member fighting for their life. That’s why I worked with my colleagues on the Healthy Delaware Families Act. This Act guarantees workers up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, giving families the security and peace of mind that comes from knowing they will be able to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.
- We increased funding for programs that help cover the cost of early childhood and after-school care for the families that need it most.
Protecting the Rights of All Delawareans
I have long been consistent about my belief that all Delawareans deserve fair and equal treatment under the law.
- I have supported protecting the rights of all Delawareans by voting to ensure they are protected in our state’s Constitution, time and time again.
- In response to the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned 50 years of women’s reproductive rights, I voted to make Delaware one of the first safe harbor states in the country.
Improving Public Safety
- Under my leadership, the Senate was able to pass a package of six gun safety bills that will stem the flow of high-powered weaponry to our state and halt the sale of more than 60 assault weapons and high-capacity magazines here in Delaware. They also raised the legal firearm purchasing age from 18 to 21, strengthen Delaware’s background check system, and hold gun dealers liable for negligence.
- While keeping dangerous weapons out of our communities will help to make our communities safer, we also took steps to keep violent and repeat offenders off our streets. Delaware courts are now setting secured cash bail as the baseline for pre-trial release of people accused of serious offenses, including gun crimes, domestic violence, rape and child sexual abuse.
- We passed legislation that requires all law enforcement officers in Delaware to wear body cameras while interacting with the public.
- We modernized Delaware’s hate crime and use-of-force statutes, demanded greater transparency and accountability from our sworn officers, and took additional steps to protect our children from predators.
Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare
Over the last two years, I have helped lead the way on a sustained, multi-layered effort that will address the need for affordable healthcare options in Delaware.
- We recently passed legislation that refocuses our healthcare system towards expanding preventative primary care services and incentivizing beneficial outcomes for patients, rather than prioritizing treatment volume.
- We reduced prescription drug prices by eliminating unnecessary costs created by industry middle men.
- We capped the cost of insulin and other supplies people with diabetes need to survive, and required insurance companies to cover those items.
- We required all colleges and universities in Delaware to stock Epi-pens and train employees on how to use them.
- We addressed the growing mental health crisis in our young people by adding additional counselors to our elementary and middle schools.
Preserving Our Environment and Open Space
I have long been a champion of Delaware’s natural environment and open spaces, having personally secured millions of dollars for farmland preservation and the protection of our forests, beaches, and world-class park system. Under my leadership:
- We stepped up our transition to clean energy by forcing energy utilities to generate 40% of the electricity they supply in our state from renewable, sustainable sources like solar and wind by 2035.
- Thousands of Delawareans previously unable to benefit from the cost savings and low carbon footprint of solar power are also now able to reap the benefits of renewable energy through a new class of community solar generating facilities.
- By passing the Clean Water for Delaware Act, we also made record investments that will upgrade Delaware’s drinking water infrastructure, reduce flooding in vulnerable communities, and keep pollution out of our waterways.