Mazie Hirono: “According to 2006 data, there are three dropout factories in my district and five total in the state of Hawaii.”

I want to start by thanking my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, for pointing out the need for mental health services in our country and the disparities that exist in our country in providing such services. I thank Senator Cardin.

I happen to be the only naturalized citizen sitting on this committee, and I am horrified by the implication that naturalized citizens basically get second-class citizenship.

The First Step Act has seen a lot of success, and it was done in a bipartisan way.

This bill will take food assistance--the literal means by which some people are able to put nutritious food on the table--away from them.