Neal Statement Calling on President Trump to Use Defense Production Act Powers
Springfield, MA,
March 20, 2020
Springfield, MA – Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, released the following statement urging President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to address widespread shortages of key materials during the coronavirus epidemic, including ventilators, diagnostic test supplies, masks and other personal protective equipment. “Health care providers in the Commonwealth have been working around the clock to meet the urgent demands of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency,” said Chairman Neal. “However, limited supplies are restricting their ability to do so. In order to truly combat the coronavirus, our health care professionals urgently need an influx of medical and personal protective equipment. I am calling on President Trump to immediately enact the powers of the Defense Production Act for the mass production of critical supplies to ensure that more testing kits, ventilators, and protective personal equipment gets into the hands of those who are in dire need of it. Time is of the essence and President Trump must act before this shortage worsens.” ## |