House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused President Trump of being a man who “refuses to ask for directions” as she implored him to invoke the Defense Production Act to deliver personal protective equipment to expand COVID-19 testing across the country.
Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters further coronavirus testing is necessary so that schools can reopen safely by the fall, but the president, she said, is hindering this process by not invoking the Defense Production Act. Trump invoked the act in April to increase swab production for coronavirus testing.
“I have concluded that he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions. All of the answers are there. The scientists have the answers,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference. “And yet, the president continues to go down the wrong path and refuses to ask for directions from scientists who know better than any of us.”
She added, “We still don’t have the needed testing and PPE, and the president refuses to use the full power of the Defense Production Act needed for reopening our schools, reopening our economy, and the rest.”
Pelosi pointed to the $3 trillion Heroes Act package House Democrats passed, which included unemployment insurance, $75 billion for coronavirus testing, tracing and isolation provisions, as well as funding for states and municipalities toward hazard pay for essential workers.
“Join us in asking the president to use executive action for good instead of ill as he has done and pass the Heroes Act … because across the country, the angst that people are reporting to us about the anxiety they have about their children, the decision as to whether to send their children to school,” she said.
President Trump called for schools to reopen, or the federal government may cut off funding.
“In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!” Trump tweeted on July 8.
Pelosi took a swipe at the president over his school reopening strategy, saying, “What does the president do? The negative. ‘We’re not going to give you money unless you open up.’ No. You give people, schools, money to open up, and that is precisely what we do in the Heroes Act,” she said.
