To watch cable news or read a major daily newspaper these days, a foreigner visiting the United States would have a bleak outlook on the future of America. Unless of course, more people visited western Ohio. Obviously, my work in Congress involves travelling back and forth to fulfill my responsibilities in both Ohio and D.C. But every August, tradition dictates that Members stay home and spend more time with our neighbors and constituents. People love to refer to August as a “recess” from Congress, but this month-long work period is often one of the busiest parts of my year.

As the nation continues to adjust and adapt to life in a pandemic, it is more important than ever that America’s elected leaders understand how the policies imposed from Washington (many over my objections) affect the people who elected us. Perhaps most urgently, people have wanted to share their reactions to state executive orders that effectively closed our economy, deemed some activities essential and others non-essential, and threaten to further disrupt work, school, sports, and much more. In light of that and the related public health crisis, this August is the perfect opportunity to observe the impacts of CARES Act—the trillion-dollar coronavirus relief bill.