Trump won't require firms to help fight coronavirus -- after corporations lobbied Jared Kushner

[deminks]

https://www.salon.com/2020/03/24/trump-wont-require-firms-to-help-fight-coronavirus--after-corporations-lobbied-jared-kushner/

President Trump has refused to use a wartime law to require major manufacturers to make vital equipment to combat the new coronavirus, reportedly after corporations successfully lobbied his top adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Last week, Trump signed the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that allows the federal government to force American companies to ensure the availability of crucial equipment. But the president has refused to invoke the law even as governors across the country and lawmakers in Washington have warned that time is running out to stop the exponential spread of coronavirus infections.

Trump falsely compared the law to nationalizing businesses during a White House briefing on Sunday.

"The fact that I signed it, it's in effect," he said. "But you know, we're a country not based on nationalizing our business. Call a person over in Venezuela, ask them how did nationalization of their businesses work out? Not too well."

The law does no such thing. As NPR explained, the law provides loan guarantees and protections for companies that cooperate. It would prevent what New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has described as a "mad bidding war" between states to secure critical equipment like masks and ventilators and allow the federal government to better control the distribution of this equipment to states that need it most.

(end snip)

Never forget

[underpants]

1. As I understand it, it also sets limits on prices

That's why he won't enact it.

[BeckyDem]

2. Trump and his entire family are from the Batman series of villains.

That is who is running the country. Instead of 80 cents a mask, lets watch the fun of states having to battle for who gets the price at not $4 a mask but maybe $7 a mask!!!!!!!!!!

[Duppers]

3. I feel like screaming

Kushner and other aides pushed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take over for the Department of Health and Human Services in overseeing the response effort. Kushner and top economic adviser Larry Kudlow were also persuaded by lobbying from big corporations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce against using the Defense Production Act, according to the report.

The moves have resulted in FEMA overseeing an operation it is not equipped to handle and companies confused over how to proceed, experts and executives told the outlet.

ALL the tRumpMafia seeks and sees is a way to enrich themselves. We older DUers remember how well FEMA handled another urgent catastrophe, Hurricane Katrina. How can they manage something on this scale? Our country has had few challenges of this scope.

[3Hotdogs]

4. This time, we don't even have "Brownie" to help us.

[Duppers]

6. I know.

Even tho Brownie was incompetent, his heart was in the right place, unlike these heartless, psychopathic criminals.

[Boomerproud]

5. I've seen so many threads the last couple of days

About the Right putting the meme out about it's our duty to return to normal activity for the sake of the economy and it has morphed into insanity.

[2naSalit]

7. Never doubted his participation and the damage it would do

jarvanka are really dangerous.

[ck4829]

8. Kick