Congressman Kim Calls on Trump Administration to Fully Activate Defense Production Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s failure to fully enact the Defense Production Act to respond to supply shortages for health care and emergency personnel fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.

“There is no reasonable explanation for the delay in activating the Defense Production Act; not with lives on the line and our frontline first responders in dire need. The American people and those fighting this battle in our communities need clarity and need these supplies. What they’re getting is contradictory statements from the President and the FEMA Director on what steps have been taken to ramp up supply. According to the health care and emergency professionals I’m hearing from in Burlington and Ocean Counties, what they’re not getting are the supplies themselves. We need to see action on this by the end of today. Every hour we waste will make it more difficult to contain this crisis and save lives.”

To immediately increase production of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and testing kits, Congressman Kim has outlined the following recommended actions that the Administration should take immediately.

1. Increase Command and Coordination – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) should immediately turn its attention towards the coordination of a nationwide implementation of the Defense Production Act. The Defense Logistics Agency should be the lead partner in ensuring delivery of these critical products.
2. Immediate Ordering and Tracking of Equipment – The Administration should put an immediate order for personal protective equipment, ventilators, and testing kits. The Administration should immediately survey all companies capable of mobilizing so we know capacity, ensure transparency to show how much has been ordered and with which companies, and create a state-by-state tracking system for demand to ensure that orders are being made in line with demand from those closest to the ground.
3. Additional Funding to Help Manufacturers – Congress should immediately increase funds available to the Defense Production Act and should provide immediate support for manufacturers looking to alter their manufacturing capacity to meet demand.

This week, Congressman Kim called for the immediate use of the Defense Production Act, and was joined by the entire New Jersey delegation to call on the Department of Health and Human Services to deliver critical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.

Information about Congressman Kim’s actions to contain the Coronavirus pandemic and address the ongoing economic impact can be found on his website by clicking here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

###