For a brief moment this summer, it seemed like small businesses might be getting a break from the relentless onslaught of the pandemic.

The House Intelligence Committee continues public hearings in President Trumps impeachment inquiry. Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jennifer Williams and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testify. By about 2:30 p.m., Amb. Kurt Volker and Tim Morrison will testify. Read more: What to watch on Day 3 of public Trump impeachment hearingsWatch live NBC News coverage here:

The procession includes officials closest to Trump as lawmakers grind through their investigation of the 45th president. It was President Trump who raised Burisma, Williams testified on Nov. 7. Tell Jennifer Williams, whoever that is, to read BOTH transcripts of the presidential calls, Trump tweeted in part over the weekend. The White House is happy with the role of Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as the committees Republican bulldog questioner. But privately these officials pointed to concerns in the White House about the performance of GOP counsel Steve Castor.

WASHINGTON, DC A public appearance by an aide to Mike Pence before the House Intelligence Committee this week is drawing renewed attention to what the vice president knew about the events that sparked the House impeachment probe. Investigators will hear from Jennifer Williams, a career foreign service officer detailed to Pence's office from the State Department. Aides to Pence insist he knew nothing about President Donald Trumps efforts to pressure Ukrainians to investigate Democrats. But theyre walking a thin political line in trying to make the case that Pence was out of the loop on questionable aspects of Trumps Ukraine policy while also presenting Pence as an influential voice in prodding the president to release the military aid.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)WASHINGTON, DC The Latest on President Donald Trump and the House impeachment investigation (all times local):9:30 a.m.An aide to Vice President Mike Pence has arrived on Capitol Hill to testify behind closed doors in the Democrats' impeachment investigation. Democrats booked Bolton after other witnesses, including former White House aide Fiona Hill, testified about Bolton's concerns over the administration's Ukraine policy. Democrats are investigating President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine. House Democrats are investigating Trump's pressure on Ukraine to investigate political rivals as aid money was being withheld from the Eastern European country. The goal is to present a convincing narrative of presidential misconduct by Donald Trump.

Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON, DC An aide to Vice President Mike Pence was speaking to impeachment investigators Thursday as Democrats wrap up the closed-door phase of their inquiry. Jennifer Williams, a career foreign service officer detailed to Pence's office from the State Department, was subpoenaed to appear. Another witness called by Democrats, former national security adviser John Bolton, failed to show up for his scheduled interview. Democrats scheduled 13 witnesses to testify behind closed doors this week, but so far only Williams and another State Department employee, David Hale, have shown up. They say obstruction is likely to be an article of impeachment against Trump, when and if they are written.