Breaking News
Trump Invoking War Powers to Combat Virus Outbreak
WASHINGTON
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is activating a war-time law that allows him to more directly mandate the production of the private sector as the U.S. seeks to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.
Trump said he will “be invoking” the Defense Production Act, a 1950 war powers act originally signed into effect at the onset of the Korean War, “in case we need it.”
It gives the president broad authorities to direct private firms to produce certain goods needed for the national defense in an effort to increase the necessity of producing goods that are urgently needed.
Trump invoking WAR POWERS to combat virus outbreak
Authorities allow US president to more directly mandate production of private sector. Michael Hernandez. https://t.co/gPdfZ9l2T4 #coronavirus #COVID19 #svpol— Erling Hellenäs (@erlhel) March 28, 2020
The U.S. is currently facing a shortage of badly-needed medical equipment, including ventilators, respirators and hospital masks, as it seeks to stymy the spread of COVID-19.
The president said he would be signing the act shortly after he briefed reporters during a press conference, saying it is “prepared to go.” But the White House has yet to officially say he has taken the action.
The U.S. and Canada earlier Wednesday announced the closure of their mutual border, which 200,000 people cross daily, to “non-essential travel.” The transit of commercial goods, however, has not been impeded as the global economy grapples with the economic shocks being caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Trump declared a national emergency last Friday under the Stafford Act to allow the federal government to more easily share resources with state and local governments amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The president's newest effort comes as the number of coronavirus infections worldwide has surpassed 212,000, including over 8,000 deaths, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
That includes over 7,300 cases in the U.S. where 115 deaths have been counted.
(c) 2020 Andolu Ajansi Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
2 Comments
Thank you mr. President I am so grateful that you were in the position you are. You’ve been torn down every way they could and you still stand strong. In my opinion Mr. Trump you are a godsend to the United States of America!
Agree if we had a democratic in charge you could kiss most of the US dead, is there away that Trump can go around the congress this is the most inhuman politicians wont even call them people, there should be No Nothing except the virus and what is needed nothing else at all no pork no fix for the rich to get richer, on the dying in America, these democratic socialist communist atheists muslim politicians. Need removed and barred for ever never to be in any part of our government that includes their family members, and State as well as Federal Government