we need a farm bill and we need comprehensive immigration reform.

Over the past several years, I have come to know a young man, a DREAMer, in my district. His name is Andres, and he's a truly impressive young man.

the House's time would be better spent continuing to investigate the IRS' treatment of organizations seeking tax-exempt status.

I really appreciate the opportunity to testify today on my legislation to improve the small business health insurance tax credit.

Passing the 2014 Farm Bill itself was a huge accomplishment, but it was also, in my view, one of the best farm bills we have ever had for specialty crop growers.

would you think that it is crucial to ensure that any changes, for example, in the dairy safety net ...

It seems like consumers rarely see lower milk prices.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide comments regarding the impact that EPA actions are having on the economic well-being of potato farmers.

The farmers I meet are proud of what they do, and they should be.

They said they need two things: get a farm bill done and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Issues related to the regulation of pesticides are very relevant not only to growers in my district but also the general public as well, and we need to acknowledge the public concerns about safety of pesticides for human health and the…

It is critical that we continue to identify the challenges that are facing farmers and ranchers today, especially as the Committee begins to consider the next farm bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thanks again for all of you for being here.

As globalization and imports increase, so do the risks to domestic producers from foreign pests.

Since the 1980s, the international trade of fruit and vegetables, or specialty crops, has been characterized by tremendous growth.

I think that that is--would be very concerning for a company to send that message.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being with us today. I really appreciate it.

I want to remind him that Congress, we, set the interest rate.

I introduced a bill last Congress that was the basis for the SNAP employment and training pilot programs that were in the farm bill.

The agency agrees that the Mississippi State Plan, and the work done in Mississippi between growers and beekeepers, is a model.

The consumers I talk to are increasingly interested in a food system where sales occur the shortest possible distance from the field to the fork.

I helped introduce legislation, the SNAP Work Opportunities Act, that would provide an exception to the 3 month time limit for those looking for work in states that don't have the resources to offer them job training or workfare…

I appreciate it. And I am very interested in this pilot and the possibilities that it can bring to make sure that we are providing healthier, fresh, local food to a broader population, and definitely folks who have been under-served.

We were talking about the challenges of the amount of the SNAP benefit, and the expense of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Helping people find good-paying, long-term employment in a high-demand industry is the best way to ensure that everyone has access to economic opportunities.