Rep Vargas Introduces Bill to Provide $3 Billion for Urgent Medical Supplies to Combat COVID-19
Washington, D.C. (March 23, 2020) –Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after introducing a bill to increase the amount of authorized funds for the Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act allows the President to incentivize and direct greater production of materials needed to address a national emergency, and currently authorizes $133 million per fiscal year to that end.
The bill will increase the authorization for the Act by $3 billion, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and allow for enhanced public and congressional oversight regarding the use of those funds.
“Our country is suffering from an unprecedented pandemic that will only worsen in the coming weeks without a much stronger and coordinated response from the President. Trump must provide our nation’s citizens and our heroic medical workers with the supplies they so desperately need.
“The Defense Production Act contains a set of sweeping and powerful authorities that the President can use in times of national emergency, to expedite the production, acquisition, and distribution of goods and materials needed to address this Coronavirus outbreak.
“Members of Congress have been calling on the President to invoke these authorities, and I am introducing legislation to authorize up to $3 billion that the President can and should use under the Defense Production Act, to spur greater emergency production of medical supplies such as medical ventilators, personal protection equipment, and diagnostic testing supplies.
“Without a higher level of production of these materials, medical workers will face risks that they should not have to face. Without enough equipment, doctors will be forced to make decisions about who they can and cannot treat. In this country of great means, we must do whatever is necessary to treat and save, as many lives as we can.
“It is long overdue for Trump to step up and utilize the full extent of his authority by invoking the Defense Production Act and ensuring every possible resource is dedicated to combating the impact of COVID-19."
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
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