One of the defining opportunities will be the upcoming elections in 2024 and we will have a critical role in supporting those elections and hopefully encouraging an election observer mission.

There are a number of things we have to address as we build capacity and skills in our workforce, including immigration, including the addiction of mental health crisis that we are experiencing in this country.

I can assure you that I will be advocating that we adequately fund district offices and small business development centers.

I am deeply concerned that work requirements--I know someone mentioned it before--in Medicaid will undo our progress.

Estimates find that as many as 15 million Americans could lose health insurance coverage because of these redeterminations, including 6.8 million who would still be eligible for coverage and incorrectly lose their Medicaid.

Medicaid, as we know, is the single largest payer for mental health services in the U.S.

Extending postpartum--Medicaid postpartum coverage to 1 year is part of our ongoing efforts to break down barriers to accessing care.

When we passed the American Rescue Plan, my legislation was included to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 1 full year.

Picture a family who loses coverage and is unable to access care, preventative services, behavioral healthcare, necessary medications because of factors completely outside their control.

if there is a single issue that people from all walks of life and all perspectives want to talk to me about is mental health and the need for resources for mental health.

I am very concerned that recent analysis shows that the work requirement in a Medicaid program would jeopardize access to care for 21 million people.

I am really pleased to be able to come to the floor today with my cochair in the Diabetes Caucus and friend and colleague Senator Collins to discuss an issue that is near and dear to both of us and to the entire Diabetes Caucus, and that…

That kind of ongoing convening, sharing information, reflecting, which takes time and resources to do, has been really important.

It was a painful lesson learned, but the results were dramatic.

It was an important reminder to me that we have so much work to do.

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Collins and I are allowed to complete our remarks before the vote that is scheduled for 5:30. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I want to thank the panel for your testimony.

we do not have a national strategy to how to respond to a crisis, or a national strategy for emergency management.