The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said the Defense Production Act, authorized by President Trump last week, is an “insurance policy” that the government will use as a last resort.
Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday, authorizing the use of the DPA, a 1950s law that allows the government to force private businesses to produce emergency supplies necessary for national security. Trump has authorized it to combat the coronavirus but has yet to use it.
FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor explained the Trump administration’s reluctance to use the intrusive law, originally passed for use in the Korean War, during an appearance Sunday on MSNBC.
“It’s an insurance policy, right? It’s a lever. If we have to throw that lever, we will,” Gaynor said. “It’s pretty amazing. You know, companies from around the country volunteering to do all sorts of different things to help Americans, and so we haven’t had to use it yet.”
“Will we have to use it? Maybe. But right now, this is what makes America so great, every company pitching in to make sure that we can beat this virus, and so it’s been really great to see,” Gaynor said.
Many private companies have already adapted their facilities to help fill the many shortages of health and cleaning supplies that have popped up because of the coronavirus. Distilleries have shifted some of their production away from beer and spirits to make hand sanitizer. Auto manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, have received approval from the Trump administration to begin making ventilators for hospitals.
