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The COVID-19 pandemic cast the United States into uncharted territory. Americans were asked to take unprecedented steps in order to slow down the spread of the virus. I have supported bipartisan efforts Congress and President Trump have enacted to fight this virus and provide economic relief. However, I continue to have serious concerns about the costs associated with these bills. We have long had a spending problem, and we must refocus on addressing troubling spending patterns even while fighting COVID-19.

Exports alone make up more than 12 percent of the United States GDP. Expanding trade markets benefits our economy, relationships with other countries, and consumers. With something so critical as trade, we need to constantly be thinking about ways to improve in this vital area. For this reason, while the ongoing pandemic has disrupted day-to-day life around our nation, the Trump administration has continued its work negotiating and implementing multiple trade agreements with the support of many in Congress.

One of the best parts of my job is visiting communities across the vast Third District. While traveling the district, I enjoy touring businesses, farms, ranches, and schools, meeting with local officials, and most of all meeting with Nebraskans. Because of COVID-19, I have been practicing social distancing and have not been able to get around the state as I like. However, like all Americans, my office and I are adapting to the reality of the pandemic to keep connected with the people of the Third District.

One of the best parts of my job is visiting communities across the vast Third District. While traveling the district, I enjoy touring businesses, farms, ranches, and schools, meeting with local officials, and most of all meeting with Nebraskans. Because of COVID-19, I have been practicing social distancing and have not been able to get around the state as I like. However, like all Americans, my office and I are adapting to the reality of the pandemic to keep connected with the people of the Third District.

Across our nation, 2020 has been a year of upheaval. Since March, our lives have been drastically different as we have stayed home, worked remotely, and avoided gathering in large groups to help protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations. We have taken extraordinary steps in our personal, professional, and social lives in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

For the past few months, the focus in Congress has been COVID-19 relief and recovery. While we have all adapted to the current reality, we must keep our focus on bringing an end to this pandemic and resuming our daily lives as the situation allows. Several times now, the House of Representatives has returned to Washington to vote, and on May 27, for the first time since the beginning of March, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing.