is authorized todeclare a recess of the committee at any time . i now recognize myself for an opening statement. for more than two years the scientists concerned with our nation s public health agencies have been on the frontlines of our battle against the coronavirus. thanks to their efforts in leadership of president biden the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us. before president biden took office, of public health officials had to contend with more than just a deadly virus. as americans who were dying by the thousands then president trump and his political appointees made the calculation that his reelection would be more likely if the seriousness of the pandemic were downplayed. pursuing this strategy trump administration officials criticized and interfered with the work of the scientists at our nation s public health agencies. because the science of the coronavirus showed a grave threat to theamerican people . these actions made our country sicker and did in imm