President might invoke Defense Production Act.
President Donald Trump told General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. on Friday that they must quickly build badly needed ventilators for COVID-19 patients. He suggested he might invoke the Defense Production Act to force compliance.
In a tweet that leaves no confusion on how the President feels, he said, “General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!!”
He added, “They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed ventilators ‘very quickly.’ Now they are saying it will only be 6,000, in late April, and they want top dollar.”
Other automakers say they are working on ventilators. On Friday, Toyota Motor Corp. said it was “finalizing agreements to begin working with at least two companies that produce ventilators and respirators to help increase their capacity.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump and his domestic advisers as consideration is given to invoking the Defense Production Act in the face of the coronavirus needs.
- For the state governors and local officials who are competing with each other and with FEMA to acquire much-needed medical supplies, from ventilators to personal protective equipment.
- For wisdom for doctors and other medical experts in determining who will receive ventilator treatment and who will not in the midst of the shortages.
- For fabricators and suppliers of medical equipment to remain fair in pricing and avoid the temptation to price-gouge because there is such a desperate need.
Sources: Reuters, Twitter
