Davis calls upon President Trump to utilize Defense Production Act

Rep. Austin Davis    April 2, 2020 | 2:27 PM

HARRISBURG, April 2 – State Rep. Austin Davis, D-Allegheny, released the following statement Thursday, which calls upon President Donald Trump to put the full power of the federal government into producing protective equipment by utilizing the Defense Production Act to the greatest extent possible:

“The rise of COVID-19 cases statewide has called for drastic measures. Governor Tom Wolf and the state Department of Health have done an amazing job and have been transparent and up front since the beginning. However, more needs to be done – at the federal level.

“In Pennsylvania alone we have more than 7,000 cases of COVID-19 and 90 deaths. We’re learning more and more about this virus each and every day, who is more susceptible for severe illness, and how contagious this virus truly is. Despite this information, we’re sending our medical professionals into harm’s way without the proper protective equipment.

“It’s unconscionable that in the United States of America our healthcare workers and other front-line responders are being put in danger because of a lack of personal protective equipment. That is why I’m calling upon President Trump to utilize the Defense Production Act, in hopes of getting our first responders and medical professionals the protective equipment they need during this truly trying time in our country. This, of all things, needs to be a main priority as we try to combat and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

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