The topic of today's hearing--cafeteria plans and the lack of options for small business owners--is of significant concern.

Employers are not required by law to offer benefits such as health coverage, retirement plans, or paid vacations.

My name is Dwight Evans and I'm from the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and I represent part of Philadelphia in Montgomery County, but I always say to my good friend, the Ranking Member, that there's a direct connection between farmers and consumers.

I would like to pick up a little bit on the question around the jobs.

When you say the 240,000 jobs, is that the jobs beyond the agricultural sector too?

I've always stressed the part about consumers and farmers have a direct connection in this, and everybody likes food.

opening statement

In Pennsylvania, through the leadership of now-Congressman Dwight Evans, we have the Pennsylvania Fresh Financing Initiative.

thanks in large part to now-Congressman Dwight Evans, our Fresh Food Financing Initiative funded 88 grocery store projects in urban and rural areas and created 5,000 jobs.