PRESIDENT INVOKES THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT
President Trump is invoking the Defense Production Act. Gives him emergency authority to call on private sector to supply essential equipment for national defense. The Defense Production Act (DPA) is the primary source of Presidential authorities to expedite and expand the supply of resources from the U.S. industrial base to support military, energy,
space, and homeland security programs. Homeland security programs eligible for DPA support include:
- Efforts to counter terrorism within the United States;
- Emergency preparedness activities conducted pursuant to title VI of the Stafford Act;
- Protection and restoration of critical infrastructure; and
- Continuity of Government.
Further info on what this Act does
here.
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION
Housing and Finance
The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April. FHFA and VA issued similar announcements
HHS and FDA
The President announced there will be a second news conference to discuss new FDA findings after reduction of red tape soon.
Department of Health and Human Services is working to allow doctors and healthcare practitioners to practice across state line.
Border Crossing Closure with Canada
President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau spoke earlier and they came to a mutual agreement with Congress to close norther border to all non-essential crossings, will not affect trade between the two countries. POTUS tweet
here. This closure is likely to last 30 days and will be reassessed then.
Situational Awareness of Virus
Dr. Brix said she expects the number of confirmed cases to “dramatically increase over the next 4-5 days” as a result of faster test processing.
POTUS Shoots Down Tariff Suspension Request from the Business Community
In a
letter to President Trump, a business coalition of over 160 groups urged the president to “provide tariff relief of more than $350 billion as one of the measures to help those hurting financially from the economic effects resulting from the current public health crisis.” Groups that signed the letter included the National Retail Federation, the Coalition of Services Industries, the Beer Institute, the National Association of Home Builders, the American Chemistry Council and the Internet Association, showing the broad sweep of American industries impacted by Trump’s duties. The President rejected the plea in response to a question at today’s press conference.
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