Statement from President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown on the Defense Production Act
[COLUMBUS, OH] The following statement can be attributed in full,
or in part, to Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown:
"We cannot wait any longer for President Trump to invoke
the Defense Production Act (DPA) to strengthen our fight against COVID-19.
Yesterday, Dr. Amy Acton articulated the dire need for a national solution to
the shortage of ventilators and other medical equipment—lack thereof has fueled
a bidding war between states that is cannibalizing resources that are sorely
needed to help us survive this crisis.
"Our leaders at every level have told us we’re being
invaded by this pandemic. In what world would you send your troops to battle
without armor? State officials across the country — including our own Dr. Acton
— are pleading with President Trump to use the power already granted to him by
the DPA to get ventilators for the sick and personal protective equipment for
our frontline responders. As COVID-19 cases increase in our city, it is
apparent that bold action at the highest level is required to clear the way for
life-saving local efforts."
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